Do not be fooled, this is a seriously big band, despite footage here of the most intimate of gigs. Band members do not have enough room on stage and cameramen at the front of the stage cannot help but be in shot throughout most of this hour-long concert.

As one of the most popular British rock bands going, Hundred Reasons could have filled a venue three times the size of the Exeter Cavern, and created a visual spectacle far superior to this slightly amateurish looking work. But this would not convey the position the band are in the moment - following a recent split from their record label Hundred Reasons are wandering in unsigned freedom, and perhaps have been prompted to further appreciate the impact of their massive fan base.

Therefore, this intimate gig displays the Surrey-based five-piece concentrating on nothing more than rocking the place out, and it works splendidly.

Beginning backstage with the band as their into tape is played to a screaming audience, we are instantly invited to take in the pre-concert atmosphere from the musician's perspective, a rare treat for a concert DVD. As this slightly dorky-looking bunch storm through If I Could and Answers the dual image of strutting band members and bouncing audience provides a rare look at how band and audience feed off each other in such a situation.

Having written over 30 songs for a new release, it is slightly surprising to see only one newbie, No Pretending on the set list, but perhaps this is the pick of the bunch (the thumping riff running through the track is a cracker) and the band saw fit to deliver their multitude of sing-along classics to the exhausted-looking audience of 16 year old scene-kids. Oratorio is a particular highlight of the night, with every voice joining singer Colin Doran singing "I lie beneath you and struggle for air", which is then followed by a screamer of a track, Soapbox Rally (fans of the Refused track New Noise should enjoy this), which is as popular as it was when it appeared on Hundred Reasons' debut EP.

Again immersing us as deeply as possible into the intimate gig atmosphere, we are made to wait along with the rest of the crowd for the band to reappear for the encore, which begins with another old classic Remmus, arguably still the ultimate crowd favourite at any Hundred Reasons gig. The audience tonight, encouraged to be on their "worst behaviour", duly go wild, and raise their arms and voices as Silver rounds off one of the sweatiest gigs ever seen on screen.

Also included is a half-hour interview with guitarist Larry Hibbitt and drummer Andy Bews, which proceeds like a biography of the band, charting their progress from teenage groups to getting noticed by labels to the unprecedented success of their debut album Ideas Above Our Station. Larry in particular talks about the good place that the band find themselves in at present, and for as long as their fan base keeps up its clear adoration, Hundred Reasons should have no other concerns whatsoever.

share:  Facebook | Digg | del.icio.us | more

Mercury Prize 2009 nominees