Live Review: Travis at Portsmouth Guildhall

Travis is one of these bands that even if you do not know them by name you would have heard their music. And this doesn’t only apply to a UK audience, growing up in a country far far away, Travis was still a staple of my childhood as well. Their tunes brought back happy memories of the final year of the previous century and the beginning of the new millennium.

‘The Man Who’ was their breakthrough album and they are bringing it back on the road 19 years after its release. With a full venue and only a few minutes delay the band entered the stage. Their Scottish identity was present not only with their thick accents but also Fran’s (lead vocalist) rocker kilt. The band and the said album at the time of its release receive had its fair share of critics, as it unfortunately saw the light of day during the dawn of the highly praised 90’s brit rock era.

However, as it was apparent from this show’s and the 15 stop UK tour’s popularity, the album stood the test of time. Simple but not monotonous mid-tempo songs offer the attendants a pleasant nostalgic Wednesday night.

The gig started with slower songs ‘Writing to reach you’, ‘The Fear’ and it then progressed into more dynamic tones and harder electric guitar sounds. After the first three songs that were played back to back Fran introduced us ‘The Last Laugh of the Laughter’ while he added that most of his best song inspirations came out of the most boring and mundane moments of his life. He might be scrolling through his phone, doodling, washing dishes or simply procrastinating and bam a song brilliant idea might come. Simply, like that. As he explained a few songs later, for example, the UK favorite ‘Turn’ was written while he was staring at the depressing Scottish view of the Isle of Mull, that was a long long time ago, during a time they didn’t even have a record deal. I did mention ‘Turn’ is a fan fav and it was clear from the reactions and with audience members confessing their love to the front man when they last notes were being played. Fran with a smile on his face accepted the compliments and vocalised how nice it is being on a band and suggested us to watch the Bohemian Rhapsody movie if we wanted to see a very realistic depiction of how band life is.

The special bond he described that exists between the members, was definitely present on stage that day. By Fran’s own words the only thing that slightly resembles the feeling of being in a band for so many years is a well-coached, bonded and long-running football team. He even expresses his disappointment with the current state of music, with the bands constantly decreasing in numbers and popularity, while pop music is taking most of the air time.

More highlights of the night were ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me?’ and ‘Closer’ that got the crowd going. One of the most precious moments of the night happened during ‘Closer’ later the night. The security personnel were so conveyed by the music that they were momentarily taken by the song and you could see them softly bumping into each other and romantically swaying to the rhythm of the music as the lyrics instructed.

“Just need to get closer, closer,

Lean on me now,

Lean on me now,

closer, closer,

Lean on me now,

Lean on me now.”

Another unexpected incident, an intermission between two more masterfully executed tracks ‘My Eyes’ and ‘Flowers In The Window’ was when Fran told an overexcited heckler to shut up, the crowd burst into crazy laughs.

Best story of the night that I am sure will resonate with the audience was Fran’s first time meet Liam Gallagher, back in 1987. Apparently backstage Liam had asked Fran to play a song on his guitar, despite being intimidated by the big rock star’s presence, he complied but a minute into the song he saw him taking off his specs and there were tears coming down his eyes. We were jokingly told not to mention this incident next time we see him and that probably the reason he got emotional because the song was about breakups. All I know is that if I ever happen to meet Liam and if I am not too intimidated to function, I am definitely using this story as an ice breaker, sorry Fran!

With a full 19 song setlist, many guitar and instrument changes Travis and the ‘The Man Who’ was a show full of magical musical moments that stir up old memories. Travis despite going for decades still have their sparkle and their star shines as bright as ever. You could see it in their enthusiasm (how amazing was Andy’s guitar solo during ‘All I Want To Do Is Rock’ (?), just brilliant!) and the way they interacted with the audience there was not a moment that was taken for granted.

From the beginning till the end timeless UK rock classics!