The Hotelier

(Relates to January 25th show at London's The Dome)

I love The Hotelier a lot. Their sophomore album, "Home, Like No Place Is There" is an important album for me and their latest album "Goodness" is one of my favorite albums of 2016. It is one of those albums that was the right thing at the right time for me as an individual and is such a huge developmental leap for the band.

With this in mind, I was looking forward to seeing them for the second time - my first time seeing them as a sole headliner.

The band are tight and play their songs well. There were flourishes and small changes to songs such as "An Introduction To the Album" and "Among the Wildflowers" that enhanced them from the original album versions and helped show off the bands creativity. It was nice to hear them play fan favorites from "Home..." alongside a majority of the songs from their new album. They didn't play "End of Reel" - one of my favorite songs from "Goodness" but songs like "Sun" and "You In This Light" hit in a way that made me appreciate the album versions much more afterwards.

Singing and shouting along with the crowd to popular songs like "Your Deep Rest", "An Introduction..." and "Soft Animals" was a fun and cathartic as a fan could hope for.

On the other hand, The Hotelier could be more dynamic performers. Opinion will always be divided on how much a band should talk in between songs, what the tone and content should be and how much this affects the show. At this show, the chat in between songs was minimal and, where it occurred, felt awkward like it was something the guys felt like they should do rather than wanted to do. Perhaps it's a confidence issue. When they tried to bring up the issue of being away from the USA during Donald Trump's inauguration and the demonstrations in the following days, it seemed to fall on the deaf ears of a crowd mostly talking amongst themselves during what was probably the most genuine and impassioned part of the band's between-song talking. I think it was about the confidence (or lack thereof) with which it was delivered and more command of presence being required.

All-in-all, I had a good time. I feel like The Hotelier are a band that tour to support their albums (and perform as such) rather than make albums so as to have things to play on tour. For as powerful and passionate as their music is, I think it's better to be listened to rather than rocked out to. Worth seeing if you're a fan but for bands playing modern emo, there are a lot more dynamic, exciting and involving bands than The Hotelier.

The Hotelier never fails to be amazing. Even though the lead singer was sick he managed to still sing amazing. He did let us know he was sick and that if we knew the lyrics to sing along. I did not hesitate to help out. :D Definitely go see them because they just give you all the emo feels.

I have seen many shows. This one is up there with one of the best! First time seeing the Hotelier and will not be my last. Sound great live. There is something to be said when 300 people are screaming the lyrics to all the songs!! Long live EMO!!!!

Some irritating front audience members aside, this concert was amazing.

The sincerity and energy the band put into the performance had me smiling most of the way through Hotelier's set.

And they finished with Dendron. Which completed me.