The Joy Formidable return to the UK after a hugely successful US tour. Originally from Wales, the band moved to London playing under the name Sidecar Kisses. A bassist and a drummer later, they renamed themselves to The Joy Formidable and the journey began. The band has risen steadily to a point where they stand at this midyear juncture as one of the most talked about new bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Their critically acclaimed debut album The Big Roar is a powerhouse of energy and passion which translates well live. As soon as the band take to the stage thunderous climaxes, strident choruses and heavy distortion arrive with hit single A Heavy Abacus. The songs are played out on big canvases, with little subtlety required, and despite tinges of haughtiness, the band makes the most of their size. The staccato beat of track Whirring pulsates as the crowd sing and jump along with the threesome also clearly enjoying themselves. During fiery speed-rocker old favourite, Cradle, lead vocalist Ritzy Bryan bound up and down the small stage bashing on the drummer’s cymbals a few times enthralling the already hyped crowd. Whilst Bryan brings the energy undoubtedly to the performance however the sound system at The Riverside let them down hugely, and at some points Bryans vocals couldn’t be heard at all. Nevertheless the group pull it out the bag with track Ever-changing Spectrum of a Lie which lives up to long title via an eight-minute running time where the song slowly approaches critical mass, explodes, then tops off with an explosive ending.