A showcase of bands from Britain, the US and Canada may have seemed a dream come true for fans, but last night's Live N' Loud concert at the AsiaWorld-Arena probably left the crowd more baffled than ecstatic.
What would have been an exciting lineup of music genres turned into a lacklustre string of performances, as the 15-minute breaks between acts dampened the crowd's mood.
British newcomers Jamie Scott and the Town opened to a half-filled auditorium, crooning tunes from their debut album Park Bench Theory. It was a pity so few heard so rich an offering - Scott's delicate yet raspy falsetto, faintly reminiscent of James Blunt and Jay Kay, was a delight; while his supporting band, complete with a pianist and a cellist, lent a soulful touch to the band's acoustic sound.
Next up was South Florida-based pop-punkers New Found Glory. Once a sensation among angst-filled teenagers, their performance was more clown than class act.
'Who needs the gym when you have punk rock?' yelled vocalist Jordan Pundik, playfully mocking bassist Ian Grushka.
Pundik's cracked vocals were obscured by the overamplified guitars and bass during their 45 minutes. His attempts at a singalong resulted in awkward silences.
