The lights go down, the roar goes up from the crowd as the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey begins, and the band are filmed in black and white waiting in the wings. The opening of the DVD perfectly portrays the atmosphere in the crowded hall as the gathered throng wait for the big opening to what could be described as yFriday’s most significant gig to date.

Although the size of the crowd was nothing to shout about (yFriday has previously played in the Royal Albert Hall and have headlined the ever-growing Greenbelt festival), as was said on the DVD extras; there were people there from all over the country. The band recognised fans in the crowd from their tours all over the UK, and seemed genuinely excited at the dedication of such fans.

The stage, which had taken the whole of the previous day to build, was covered in cameras, including one set within Dez’s drum kit. The noise increases as the band take to the stage, and as the climax of the introduction video is reached, Dez smiles nervously into his camera. You know that something special is about to happen.

The camera work and angles pick up not only the outstanding variety of the light show and the profile of the jumping crowd, but also the energy exuded from the band members themselves on stage. As each track runs seamlessly into the next (as those who were at the gig itself will notice particularly with regard to one song) the individual atmosphere of every moment is captured, and as Ken quietens the crowd before Start of the Summer, you can genuinely feel the stillness in the room, as over six hundred pairs of arms are raised to heaven. The CD recording is to studio standard, and lets the listener appreciate the sheer musical talent itself without needing to see the whirring strobe lights or the exhausted faces of the sweaty crowd.

When the time comes for the encores, the opening synth riff of the Dove-nominated anthem Everlasting God sounds as the band re-take the stage to a cheer that rivals the opening of the DVD itself, and go on to finish their already energetic set with the massively popular One Hope and Revolution.

For those who were not at the gig or those who have never seen yFriday before, the DVD and CD give a good taste of yFriday at the height of their ‘live game’, and demonstrates the reason for the bands ever-increasing live demand. For those who were at the gig, it brings back memories of just how good the show was, lets us re-live that historic evening, and possibly gives us a brief chance to glance ourselves in the crowd.

Nothing, however, beats the live show itself. If you haven’t yet seen yFriday live, the DVD and CD is essential viewing/listening, but will only go so far. You still have to see them for yourself…

Peter Campbell