Razorlight at Hammersmith Apollo

Ending their Razorwhat? tour on an absolute high note, East London’s very own Razorlight gave an electrifying performance to a sold-out Hammersmith Apollo crowd on Friday night.

The gig was one for the books as a room full of people were allowed to bear witness to one of the last genuine rock and roll acts of our generation performing songs from an immensely impressive back catalogue that spans nearly two decades.

Razorlight took to the stage backlit by their band name in giant marquee letter lights reminiscent of something out of Elvis Presley’s 1986 Comeback Special, which remained lit throughout the entirety of the show, emanating a rockstar essence that shrouded the musicians and the audience.

Revealing the range in his voice almost instantaneously, frontman Johnny Borrell absolutely “brought the house down” with Get It and Go from their first release Up All Night (2004), which left everyone awe-struck by the talent of not just Borrell but the rest of the group. Keyboardist Reni Lane added an edgy yet refined touch to the performance with her fabulous work on the keys, even boogying at the side of the stage when she wasn’t performing.

Razorlight astounded fans by playing a bit of everything from their exceptional collection of hits, such as Golden Touch from their 2004 record, and In the Morning and Who Needs Love? from their 2006 self-titled second release, the latter of which features on the soundtrack to the 2008 film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

The set was so quintessentially rock and roll that the crowd was beautifully chaotic to match. Incredible scenes included fans on the shoulders of their fellow fans, mosh pits, friends holding onto friends during their favourite songs and even Lane doing a bit of crowd surfing at the end of the night.

The band gave an immaculate performance and ended the night and their tour with an incendiary encore lineup of Don’t Go Back to Dalston, Good Night and, of course, America. Razorlight were effortlessly flawless on the stage of the Hammersmith Apollo, and surely have proved their true musical ability.

Kirst Hubbard
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Razorlight’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Golden Touch here: