Live Review: Cute Is What We Aim For, Lights Of Berlin, Calm Collected

The Rosie was dishing up quality nostalgia when emo royalty Cute Is What We Aim For headed our way to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their iconic album, The Same Old Rush Of Blood With A New Touch.

A couple of local bands were up first, with the lads from Calm Collected keeping the early birds entertained with their roaring tunes. Recovery deserved a special mention, encouraging punters to get just that little bit closer to the stage. Not even a drum mishap could stop the boys from smashing out an entire set of dark yet seriously danceable pop punk.

Lights Of Berlin brought it in for the home-grown talent, winning the audience over early on in the set with a stellar cover of the Wheatus classic, Teenage Dirtbag. "Let's be honest, you're not here to see me," singer Devon Bayer joked before delving into a set of soaring vocals and downright dirty riffs that kept energy levels at an all time high. It's safe to say that their next gig will definitely see a few more familiar faces.

After a brief intermission the lights dimmed and the general ruckus mellowed out into excited murmurs. Cute Is What We Aim For emerged on stage and wasted no time, launching straight into opener Newport Living.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for even showing up," vocalist Shaant Hacikyan cried out to the crowd, an undeniable sincerity ringing through the air. "This is our first time playing together in almost two years - so let's just sing our hearts out."

And that we did. In a matter of minutes, the entire room was 15 years old again, singing along to every word and fighting for the barrier. Hacikyan seemed genuinely chuffed when the collective singalong overpowered his voice, doubling over in amazement numerous times during this trip down memory lane.

Fans cherished every minute that the band was on stage. Phones were constantly at the ready, documenting every breath the New York natives took. Each song was met with cries of approval, with one punter proudly declaring that she could die happy after finally seeing the boys in the flesh. Most of the room had waited ten years for tonight — and judging by the concluding applause, they were well worth the wait.