(This is an older review published on http://nevolume.co.uk back in 2017)
Newcastle-based punk quartet, Holding Out, are no strangers to Jumpin’ Jacks, nor are they strangers to the local scene, and tonight’s performance was truly a standout for the band.
Whilst they may have seemed hindered by the small size of the Jumpin’ Jacks venue in comparison to their previous headlining performance at the O2 Academy, Holding Out’s style proved to draw a mixed crowd of young punk enthusiasts and denim-clad thrashers alike, all of whom were equally welcomed to sing along and mosh to each track on the setlist.
Performance wise, the band fired on all cylinders, specifically with frontman Ellis Paul’s savage vocal delivery upon which he gave set opener ‘Swing For the Fences’ a twist of melodies and screams more prominently heard live than in their studio recordings.
Only showing signs of tiredness mid-setlist during the band’s cover of Green Day’s ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, Paul was warmly assisted with audience participation.
Equally exciting were the band’s live performances of tracks from their recent self-titled EP, with ‘Machines’, ‘Headaches’ and ‘Thrillhouse’ receiving energising reactions from the audience, who were provided with a mix of singalong melodies and moshpit inducing rhythms. The band’s very own guitar hero, Jason Toward, was also very much on point – coming almost as a Dimebag Darrell reincarnate with his frequent soloing and guitar licks.
Finishing off their set with a cover of Slaves’s ‘Where’s Your Car Debbie’, which saw Paul jumping into the crowd himself and getting involved in the moshpits he had so clearly missed earlier in the gig, it was clear that Holding Out had yet again provided the Jumpin’ Jacks audience with one of their best performances yet. They’re growing as a band in terms of their musical ability and their charisma and both aspects shone through tonight. If you’re a fan of punk rock then don’t miss them at their next gig North East gig.
