Tommy Scott at the 02 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

If you are after a spectacular party to round off a fantastic year of music in Liverpool then you should look no further than the city’s own band, Space. The personnel may have changed since the heady days of the 1990’s but there is no doubting the essential and unique brand of cool that Tommy Scott, Franny Griffiths, Allan Jones, Phil Hartley and Ryan Clarke bring to the stage for the audience to have some serious fun too.

The o2 Academy had already been privileged to see the support act, The Mono L.P’s provide a huge and dramatic opening to the night and with a certain amount of relish in the eyes of the five band members and unquestionably in the minds of the audience, Space showed why in superb fashion they are still one of the heavyweights of the Liverpool music scene.

Enjoyment is a main crucial factor when it comes to a gig, to see it in the band’s faces and of those they are trying to entertain is a plus that cannot be taken away from the charm of the overall night.  To watch the talented Phil Hartley, perhaps Liverpool’s finest exponent of a double bass player fused with punk rhythms and sensibilities, rocking as if it was the last night that the o2 Academy would ever host a live music show was enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. When combined with Ryan Clarke’s performance, Franny Griffiths on keys, the excellent Allan Jones marshalling time on drums with incredible passion and above all Tommy Scott savouring the evening and giving the audience a top-notch show, this really was the best way for the audience to wave goodbye to 2012 to and in some style.

The set list was long, varied and never understated. The music was just right for a night out amongst the band’s old friends and new fans and with old classics such as Charlie M, Mr Psycho, A Liddle Biddy Help From Elvis, The Ballad of Tom Jones, Avenging Angels and the outstanding Female of the Species in the same set as selected songs from the soon to be released new album, Attack of the 50ft Mutant Kebab, including the superb Crying on the Webcam, Guest List to Hell, Brainwaves as well as the aforementioned album title track  then the band should be congratulated for pulling together a night that will live long in the memory.

A great night out by the one of the bands that exemplifies Liverpool cool, superbly arranged and an exciting end to the year’s live music!

Ian D. Hall