Pure Love – o2 Academy, Newcastle 07.05.2014

Back in 2012 when Frank Carter left Gallows the sun seemed to shine for him and former Hope Conspiracy guitarist Jim Caroll as they began their new band Pure Love. A more simple, rock and roll outfit with a punk ethic underlying. Unfortunately due to the strain of the music industry this was Pure Love’s last tour and hence their last Newcastle date.

Being a huge fan of both members former bands I was instantly hooked on Pure Love’s sound and began to rave to them about my friends trying to describe them as if The Sex Pistols sang Bruce Springsteen songs. Unfortunately I don’t feel that enough people latched on to this band and gave them the push that they actually deserved.

After a day of looking after my Granddad I got on my local metro and headed up to the show looking forward to some good rock and roll music as well as some cheeky tipples. I have to say that I got exactly what I came out for.

Unfortunately I missed opening act PUP but seeing Pure Love alone was worth it, and they played the same set they have done every night since starting up as a band. When I say this I don’t mean “Oh God, these songs again”, I mean they played with same energy, emotion and fun loving attitude they have since starting up.

Band members in the crowd out the crowd, members crowd surfing and stage diving whilst still playing to the best of their ability even when upside down in the air above a sea of fans. New songs being added to the set such as Hyenas and The Hurricane go down great but it is upsetting to realise this is the first time and the last time they will be heard by these loyal fans.

As Pure Love have done since their start they ended their very short, but exceptionally sweet set with the entire band in the crowd including their fill in drummer Memby (The Ghost Of A Thousand). As soon as the set ended Frank Carter and Jim walked straight from the sweat filled pit to their merchandise stand to begin signing autographs for all their fans, a sign of true gentlemen in this dog eat dog business.

I’m extremely sad to say that this is the end of Pure Love, but you never know they might do something again at some point, I like to never rule that out, but if it’s true and for the past two to three years, Pure Love have just been a flash in the pan for a brief moment in time then I’m glad I was around to be a part of it. 8.8/10

Chris s