When Chrissy Costanza first announced she was undertaking a solo project Against The Current fans were concerned. Was this the end of the trio? She was quick to reassure via social media that it wasn’t the end of the band, just a separate project – and this gig provided a little extra insight in to that.
At Manchester Academy 3 she opens the sold out UK leg of the Spin The Bottle Tour with co-headliners Voila, making their welcome return to the UK. The gig lands just days after Chrissy Costanza released her latest single Perfect Crime.
We headed to Manchester Academy 3 to catch the Manchester gig to grab the pics from the pit.
In Interview: Against The Current on touring and the two sides of the band
Chrissy Costanza and Voila open the joint set with a collab version of Voila’s Caught It. It immediately sets the tempo for what will be a generally high octane, full-energy set. For fans who have seen Christy Costanza fronting Against The Current previously the energy she puts in to the show will come as no surprise. She’s non-stop, always on the go – and Voila match her. That’s not to say that there’s no variation though, with Voila offering the first hint of a more mellow period through their ballad-leaning track Long Story Short.
The set is split between the Voila and Chrissy Costanza with seamless interchanges between them as they each perform a few tracks and them make their way off stage to let the other bask in the enthusiastic crowd during the 90+ minute headline set. They throw a fair few collaborations in there as well. It’s a relief to see them work so well together and fears of what could be a disjointed incongruent set are quickly banished.
Chrissy Costanza understandably builds her set around the recently released EP VII. She showcases each track from the EP, delivering them perfectly, and opening her first solo stint with the EP opener But, What If I Fly? which she explains sums up her thoughts on her decision to try a solo project. But although the Manchester gig is geared around Chrissy Costanza’s solo work, it’s apparent that Chrissy Costanza is truly in her heart and never far away from her thoughts. Not only does she perform ATC’s Wildfire but she refers to the band as her favourite in the whole world during a mashup of some of the most important tracks to her which includes Jimmy Eat World’s The Middle, Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide and … Against The Current’s Weapon. She also performs her first live rendition of Phoenix.
Each time Voila take the lead, they brim with energy, enthusiasm and sheer delight. And they take that energy to the fans with guitarist Luke Eisner (who remains on stage throughout to play guitars for Chrissy’s tracks) frequently finding himself on the pit rails and vocalist Guss Ross venturing in to the crowd whilst delivering Glass Half Empty. The duo are charismatic and land a string of incredibly well received tracks to constant cheers from the crowd.
As the gig heads towards a close it’s Chrissy Costanza’s powerhouse vocals which shine through with the epic and euphoric Legends Never Die followed by a collaboration with Voila on the outstanding 7 Minutes In Hell.
And just to add that final touch Against The Current guitarist Dan Gow was actually on lighting duty at Manchester Academy 3.
images courtesy @markwiththecamera
