You Me At Six at the Academy Dublin, 10 October 2016

After forming in 2004, Surrey fivesome You Me At Six have conquered all kinds of heights, from playing an array of shows and festivals across the world, to filming multiple DVDs including a live film of their Wembley Arena show in 2012. Just as everything from the outside seemed to be going as well as any band could dream of, You Me At Six took a little bit of time away from the limelight to relax a bit. Tonight’s show in The Academy is nothing short of a full force comeback in full force.

Having started rumours of this tour and an upcoming album with online teasers, You Me At Six finally confirmed that they would be touring as a lead up to an album release in January of 2017. Tonight’s set contains a few songs from said album whilst still incorporating hits from their back catalogue, except for any songs from their debut album ‘Take Off Your Colours’ – but then again, have made no secret in the fact that they never intend to play those songs any more.

Starting on a slightly anticlimactic start When I Was Younger shows the band come to stage one by one and play one of their more laid-back and relaxed songs. Perhaps a funny choice after all this lead up, but it does serve to highlight the intimacy of tonight’s gig. From the outset it is clear that singer Josh Franceschi’s voice has ameliorated immensely over the last few years. Whether it be in anthemic energy of Loverboy, Room To Breathe or Bite My Tongue, or else in the slow moments where just Francheschi and guitarist Max Heyler sing Too Young To Feel This Old, the vocal delivery never wavers.

Moreover, the break seems to have done nothing except make the whole band’s chemistry and stage presence better than ever. From start to finish, You Me At Six show their talent as a band, as songwriters and as showmen. Their new songs, such as Night People and Plus One fit in perfectly with their old songs whilst showing a growth and evolving from a pop-punk band to a very strong and credible rock band. Leaving behind them the elements of immaturity and scene fandom, You Me At Six look ready to ready to scale newer heights.