Having supported Take That since my teens, and seen numerous other boy bands in concert, I have a rough idea of what to expect from a live show, and sure enough some things came as no surprise. The crowd of screaming teenyboppers waving glow sticks were there, as was a floating stage taking the band out over the crowd. Then there were the on-stage tricks; cue much hand clapping, the odd pelvic thrust, and the band’s predictable shouts of ‘alright Wembley’. There was also a theme to the set, with oil barrels, fans, and flaming torches representing their current album title, Radio:Active. But there is one difference between McFly and other bands like Take That, and that’s the music. Pop/Punk has never been one of my great loves, so would watching this dvd turn me into a McFly fan? Erm not quite…
The concert, recorded at Wembley Arena during their 2008 tour, features a lot of new material from the Radio:Active album, along with some of their older, more familiar songs. All of these made the crowd jump up and down and sing along, but I found the heavy, fast paced guitar riffs all blur into one another, and at times the continuous jumping around on stage and frantic light show was a little too much for my tastes.
I was hoping they would slow the pace down, introduce some melodies, harmonies, and turn up the volume on the acoustic guitar or piano, but all credit to them as that’s exactly what they did. P.O.V, Falling In Love, and Obviously were a little slower and had more of an acoustic/pop feel to them. For me, they were one of the highlights of the show. The other highlight for me was lead singer Danny Jones, a superb vocalist, with a smart image, and a frankly brilliant cover of Michael Jackson’s hit ‘Black or White’. It was also good to see the appearance of the backing singers during this song. I’d give the band high marks for all these things, which were pleasant surprises. McFly have got talent, some of which appeals to me, but I’d like to see more variety in the pace of the show, and for the band to harness more stage presence/better conversational skills in between songs. I’m not a complete convert, but I’m sure their fans will enjoy the show and the backstage documentaries as well.
McFly Radio:Active Live At Wembley released 11th May 2009.
To win a copy of the DVD click here.
Generally, McFly reviews are harsh from the beginning because of former journalist prejudice but this is a fair review.
Personally, I haven’t ever been a big fan of McFly (I was put off by all the manic, teenybopper fans and their irritating, shrill screaming), but when I travelled away from the UK to my cousin’s home in Australia, it appeared she was utterly obsessed with McFly as well. It was a fair judgement, I guessed, because she was intelligent and definitely NOT psychotic.
And so one day when I came home I saw her dancing along to the McFly Radio:Active DVD and was mildly alarmed. I understand how this review wanted more of a focus on slower acoustics, but as I love harder, faster sounds, McFly’s music really appealed to me.
Admittedly, McFly have some real talent which it is rare to find nowadays. Sure, music from their CD’s and what you hear on the radio is quite good… but I honestly admit that their Live music is much, much better. It’s very rare to come across bands which can write, sing and play their own music… not to mention keep up the energy these guys do on stage!
A fair review, but I must say, a lot of the conversation in between songs has been edited out of the DVD, for times sake I’m guessing, but had you witnessed the concert live and in all its glory, you most definately would have seen just how much stage presence they have. I’m 16, and have been obsessed with McFly since the very beginning, and I have a tendency to jump around and scream a little at their concerts, so maybe that puts me in the ‘teeny bopper’ category, but regardless, I can safely say that, in my opinion, they are one of the (if not the) greatest live acts around at the moment. If people judged them less on their earlier stuff and went to see, I believe they’d agree with me. (:
i see that you’re not a fan of mcfly. sure, i was not, when i didn’t know about mcfly at all. but from the first time i heard them, from the first seconds i watched their videos, i fell in love with them that seconds. not because of how good-looking they are. maybe that is one reason, but mostly because of their talents. have you realized they are SO MUCH better live than when they record their album?
you know, some people are better when they record their album than singing live, but mcfly is the vice versa. that’s good, doesn’t it? it proves to people that they are really talented, and really good.
one thing, i’m from brunei. and i just can’t fly from brunei to london just to see them, because somehow, i am not a rich girl. if i am, and if i have lots of money, the ONLY reason why i would want to go to london would be because of mcfly.
they’ve been so much matured with their singing. i want to have the DVD, like so bad. but i can’t. because i’ve been searching for it in brunei, but they don’t sell it. and i’m like so disappointed. i’d never wanted a DVD this bad, but ever since i saw them live on youtube, and when i realized i can’t go to london, i want this DVD.
why? a very good question, indeed. because i know, their live version are so much better. 🙂
and i’m not insulting, but mcfly is seriously the best band i’ve ever come across. they don’t do lip syncing, as what most of people will do. i agree with what gemma and minna wrote. you wrote a fair review, but maybe because you’re into acoustic version, you’re not that into mcfly. 😀
and i write this comment, just because i want the world to know, mcfly really is a great band. 🙂 their songs are catchy, their lyrics are funny, and sometimes sad, but still good, they are being themselves in front of the crowd, they are crazy but i love it. they are just…them.
gee, i guess i’m writing too much. i’m sorry. i can’t help but to be obsessed with them. i used to be obsessed with them, but now i’m falling in love with them.
and i’m so sorry if i’m talking nonsense here. i’m so so so sorry.
“don’t judge a book by its cover”