Travis, Symphony Hall, Birmingham - review
Birmingham's Symphony Hall was packed with Good Feeling last night thanks to a charming, nostalgic performance from chart toppers Travis.
The Scottish musicians played their classic album The Man Who in full at the show, after it spent 11 weeks at number one when released 19 years ago.
And as well as belting out hit tracks such as Why Does It Always Rain On Me and Sing to buzzing fans, lead singer Fran Healy took to discussing England’s current performance in the World Cup, praising them for being 'confident and relaxed'.
Travis' members didn’t appear to have changed a bit; despite forming nearly 30 years ago. Fran had the crowd cheering from the moment he stepped on stage, dressed in a simple black kilt and t-shirt, with bright blonde hair slicked back in a bun.
Band members Dougie Payne on bass and Andy Dunlop on lead guitar and banjo looked dapper in suits either side of him, while Neil Primrose played drums at the back.
The soft rock band quickly had the audience on their feet by launching straight into one of their most famous singles Writing to Reach You.
Fran also delighted the crowd with funny anecdotes and tales in between each song.
“Your football team is doing well,” he said, referencing England’s 6-1 win over Panama on Sunday.
“Ours hasn’t done well for 20 years.
“Harry Kane is an amazing role model for kids isn’t he? He doesn’t do the whole limelight thing. Kids look like they’re having a good time at the football, which I think is the first time this has happened.
“You actually have a team I think looks so confident and relaxed.
“It’s not like a Scotsman to be so generous and relaxed about an English team."
Other timeless singles played on the night included Driftwood, Turn and possibly the band’s most iconic song Why Does It Always Rain On Me, which each saw fans on their feet in rapturous support, with some even dancing in the aisles.
And after a roaring encore plea from the crowd, the band returned on stage to perform a quirky cover of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time, followed by All I Want to Do is Rock from the group’s first album Good Feeling.
There was certainly no rain in Birmingham with the scorching hot weather yesterday, but the atmosphere inside Symphony Hall was even brighter thanks to a perfectly striking performance from Travis.
