Live Review: British India, Unbroken Expanse

Chauvinistic sweaty rock guided by relentless guitar solos were on offer at Capitol as Unbroken Expanse ran around the stage and slowly inspired more and more punters to raise their fists into the air. Frontman Jimmy James ventured into the crowd, while bassist Chris Parker sat upon the drum riser, grasping the microphone like he was trying to crush it and screamed his lungs out. There's no questioning why the headliners enlisted them for the tour.
Few bands understand the importance of dynamics in a live show, but British India are one of them. With hair draped over his eyes and a guitar plastered with stickers and gaffer tape holding his strap firmly in place, vocalist Declan Melia's voice took control of the crowd. Those who wouldn't normally dance threw themselves around the dance floor like ragdolls in a washing machine. 2007's Guillotine commanded the most energy, but it was new songs such as Summer Forgive Me that showcased the band at their best.
Giving praise to I Killed The Prom Queen, who were playing next door, British India treaded into dangerous territory when they opted to take on Blink-182's Dammit. It's been covered to death, but they somehow managed to keep it fresh.
Melia justified a bottle of champagne he had been drinking from all set by emphasising it was not only the last show of the tour, but their last for a while as they were going to take time off to work on album number five, which led into Ain't No Fucking Disco and saw Unbroken Expanse frantically dashing between the members of British India while Melia paced back and forth with his guitar slung over his shoulder, a microphone in one hand and champagne in the other. If the floorboards at Capitol were ever going to give way, it would have happened during the final few songs of British India's set. There's no way they'll be forgotten during their time off touring.