Christmas cracker for rock fans

Kerrang Xmas Party

Birmingham O2 Academy

words and pictures by James Watkins

Revellers turned out in force for the annual Kerrang Xmas Party at the Birmingham O2 Academy to see three of the year's best-loved British rock acts grace the stage for a Christmas cracker of a night.

Love Amongst Ruin opened proceedings with Steve Hewitt (former Placebo) finding his feet as the powerful frontman and whipping up a storm with his pure grunge outfit.

He was imperious during So Sad (Fade) and gave a stellar, effortless display of precision rock vocals that had the crowd bouncing along.

Sunderland based four-piece The Futureheads played through a fast-paced half-hour set of hits, peaking at the anthemic Hounds Of Love that saw the crowd split into three groups to harmonise the well-known intro.

Headliners Feeder then appeared and produced a well-balanced set featuring a barrage of their most popular singles, with Just The Way I'm Feeling gaining particular credit from the fans.

Raising the pace with Call Out and Renegades from their latest album, Grant Nicholas and co revelled in the partisan response to song of the night, Buck Rogers, which had the crowd singing out loud and jumping around like frenzied kangaroos.

Closing the night with the loud and rocked-up The End, Feeder showed why they're still regarded as one of the most fan-favoured rock bands of a generation.

Grant Nicholas expressing the band's gratitude to the Midlands for always supporting them and being there for them over the past 14 years. "We Love you guys. Thanks for some great memories and supporting us. Goodnight".