Review: Collateral / FM - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, May 3rd 2024

Review: Collateral / FM

Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (May 3^rd 2024)

Reviewer/Photographer: Dan Mann

The evening started with me just making it to the Rescue Rooms as openers Collateral started their set due to road closures! I had to push my way through a packed venue to reach the photo pit and my fellow togs, this was obviously a ‘must see’ gig.

For me personally, Collateral are always a ‘must see’, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen & photographed them. They are currently on the count down to the release of their sophomore album ‘Should’ve Known Better‘ (released May 24th) and it was pretty obvious the crowd were eager to watch the boys do what they do best.

Angelo Tristan is always a consummate frontman, putting in a performance worthy of someone playing Wembley Stadium, the crowd engaging at all the right moments. Guitarist Louis Malagodi told me after that he’d experienced various issues, not that it was noticed, he looks a lot more comfortable now as lead guitarist, Jack Bentley-Smith twanged the hell out of his bass, as he and fellow ‘engine roomist’ drummer Ben Atkinson delivered the pounding rhythm.

Sadly their set was over far too soon, but in that short six song set they certainly made some more fans!

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Setlist:

Glass Sky

Mr. Big Shot

No Place for Love

On the Long Road

Merry Go Round

Midnight Queen

And so to the headliners. Melodic rockers FM are currently celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary. I still remember the first time seeing them at Reading festival back in 87, having played ‘Indiscreet‘ to death (it still gets a regular play).

Steve Overland‘s vocals are still superb, he is without doubt one of the UK’s finest rock singers. It was great to see Jem Davis back behind the keyboards after his recovery from cancer. Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick delivering the licks he’s so well known for, and the always smiling combo of bassist Merv Goldsworthy and drummer Pete Jupp, both of whom are in the ‘less is more’ school of playing, such is the ease of their delivery.

There was no hiding the pure enjoyment felt by the band as they ‘worked’ their way through an extensive 18 song set that was full of fan favourites, including an Eric Martin cover, finishing with ‘Other Side Of Midnight‘ from ‘Indiscreet‘. FM delivered what the crowd had come to see, and it’s so pleasing to see they’ve lost none of the elements that first made me a fan.

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