BBC ELECTRIC PROMS REVIEW Razorlight/ Philharmonic Hall

Oct 27 2008 by Clare Hickie, Liverpool Daily Post

WHO could be the best band to support Razorlight at their concert for the BBC Electric Proms at the Philharmonic Hall? Razorlight, of course.

In front of a red velvet curtain, bare electric light bulbs hanging in front and a park bench for the backing singers, the band burst on to the stage and launched into a rousing rendition of Golden Touch.

Followed swiftly by Somewhere Else, the audience were up on their feet and I was almost in shock to have such fav- ourites played so early on.

Their own support show seemed jam-packed with crowd-pleaser after crowd-pleaser.

In the mix of new and better-known songs that followed, lead singer Johnny Borrell veered from resembling a Mick Jagger-esque rock ’n’ roll star to a sensitive music- ian with a haunting voice.

The real conviction of his singing was matched by the enthusiasm and talent of drummer Andy Burrows.

Borrell admitted it was four years since the band had been to Liverpool, and was amazed they had been away so long.

My only criticism was that the support show seemed to out-shine the main set, and its finale out-did their actual encore.

But the audience were standing and cheering from start to finish, for which Borrell thanked them. If anything, Razorlight left us wanting more.

CLARE HICKIE