Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2009.

Arriving on stage, on the second night of the tour and back in his home town, Stephen Langstaff thrilled an extra large crowd with a headliners performance. Stephen was at the Academy as part of the Academy live tour and even though he had only forty five minutes to show once more why he is being touted as a huge talent that will surely rise to the top of the music tree one day, he rose to the occasion perfectly.

Opening the set with My Little Fortune, Stephen immediately showed the fans that he meant to give them their monies worth and as one the audience responded in kind. With hardly any space for a break between each song, Stephen played to his strengths and went out for an all out assault with some first-rate guitar work and beautiful vocals especially on the song dedicated to his granddad who had recently passed away, Does It Matter?

Even though Stephen and the band had played in Newcastle the night before and was off to Birmingham to play the next night it didn’t seem to stop the enthusiasm and his enjoyment of the event deter him.

Amongst the songs played on the night were Opposite Walls and the excellent Armour.

Stephen finished off a superb night of entertainment from the four bands who were showcased during the night with Don’t Let me be Misunderstood and the hauntingly beautiful Saw the Angels.

Stephen deserves this tour as a huge reward for his time as an aspiring musician. With another album under his belt it will be time to think of doing the long tour which can only endear him to an even wider audience.

Ian D. Hall