Having changed venues from The Headrow House to The Brudenell Social Club due to popular demand, The Berlin based Giant Rooks Performed a fantastic set full of energy in front of an equally enthusiastic audience.
First up was Leodis a Leeds based quartet that delivered a fantastic opening set. Their indi rock style was a surprising revelation and got the crowd moving from the off. This is a band that has massive potential and is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
Next up was Talk More who despite their baby faced complexion delivered a storming set that again got the crowd dancing and warmed up perfectly for the headliners.
This was Talk More’s first time performing with their new drummer however they delivered a tight set that was a clear indication of their talents. Having recently been featured on the BBC Music Introducing Hot List it is clear that this is a band that is going places.
Giant rooks consisting of Frederik Rabe (vocals), Finn Schwieters (guitar), Luca Göttner (bass), Finn Thomas (drums) and Jonathan Wischniowski (piano, synthesizer) took to the stage at around 9:30 and delivered a blistering set. From the moment Giant Rooks took to the stage, singer Rabe had the crowd right where he wanted them.
Giant Rooks opened with Cara Declares War before powering into 100mg getting the crowd dancing right from the beginning and setting the tone for the rest of their set.
Whilst Giant Rooks played songs from across their Eps New Estate and their latest release Wild Stare the band also played some new material in the form of Watershed which was only the second time this had be performed live by the band.
The high energy set was put on pause for a moment whilst singer Frederik Rabe slowed things down and performed Sighing Like A Sleeper, an acoustic track which showed the versatility of the band.
The pause didn’t last long with Giant Rooks performing Chapels which the crowd were only too happy to assist with vocally and then fired into what was a highlight the show Walled City, a fantastic dance track that really got the crowd moving and jumping.
Giant Rooks were a new band to me a few weeks ago and although I listened to their EPs numerous times it does not compare to their live show which I would urge you to go and see should you get the chance.
Festival season is now well and truly over and it’s back indoors, and where better to start than The Wardrobe in Leeds. A great little venue that was packed out to see Barns Courtney on his current UK tour in support of his recently released album ‘404’.
First up was the Brighton based Will & The People who it has to be said reminded me of an early version of The Police, which is no bad thing as far as this reviewer is concerned. Their last single ‘Gigantic’ was a real standout track for me, as well as some rather excellent crowd surfing from frontman Will Rendle.
One thing is clear about Barns Courtney the moment he takes to the stage. He is a supremely confident and charismatic frontman, with as much rock ‘n’ roll swagger as one man could possibly have.
From the opening track ‘Fun Never Ends’, he had the crowd eating out his hands and the rock/blues wall of sound set the tone for the night. Ably backed by his band, this set blasts out tune after tune at 100mph and the tracks from his new album are well received by the knowledgeable crowd.
Between songs he chats with the crowd, relaying one story about trying to chat up a girl at an ATM in Leeds and failing spectacularly, and at one point gets an audience member up on stage to join the band. (Always a high risk approach, but this worked a treat!)
Crowd lift off is achieved when he goes straight into the epic ‘Glitter & Gold’ which the Leeds audience were only too happy to assist on vocal duties with. If it was possible, the roof was raised even higher with ‘99’and its infectious hookline.
Of course, he likes to get the crowd involved and part of that actually means having a wander around the edge of the crowd on scaffolding and crowd surfing towards the end of the set.
He’s been a solo artist since 2015 and seems to still be at the ‘paying his dues’ stage of career, but this is a star that will surely burn bright before very long. Support slots with The Who and Ed Sheeran can only help in what must be a certain rise to the top for Barns Courtney.
During this stunning set, at times he reminded me of a mixture of Johnny Borrell vocally and has the stage presence of a young Mick Jagger with a Kings of Leon influence thrown in for good measure.
Barns Courtney was a new name to me and I have to say this was one of THE GIGS of the year, and it surely won’t be long before he becomes a major player. I would urge you to catch him if you can on the remaining dates of his current tour.
Set List:
Fun Never Ends
London Girls
Hands
Hobo Rocket
Never Let You Down
Little Boy
Champion
Glitter & Gold
Hollow
You & I
99
Golden Dandelions
Kicks
Fire
Formed back in 1997 Easy Star All Stars have become well known for their reworks of legendary albums in their reggae/dub style, and have become hugely popular both on the tour and festival circuits throughout the world.
They have covered Radioheads OK Computer and the Beatles Sgt Pepper albums, but tonight it was all about their unique take on Pink Floyds epic Dark Side Of The Moon, which also tied in nicely with celebrating the fact that it’s 50 years since man walked on the moon.
And so it was that Easy Star All Stars visited the Brudenell in Leeds on the hottest day of the year so far to deliver the album in full and a few extras as well.
First up it was 90 minutes of reggae/dub tunes from DJ Dan The Hat, who warmed the venue up nicely and then at 9:00pm on strode Easy All Stars to a small stage for a lot of people and went straight into Jah Love which set the tone for the rest of the night with a their laid back style and sub bass sound booming across the room.
This was quickly followed by The Beatles ‘Lovely Rita’ which on the one hand shouldn’t work done in a reggae style, but it actually does.
Then it was straight into their reworking of Dark Side Of The Moon, an album which of course who have the slightest interest in music will be aware of. From the opening insistent drum beat of Speak to me/Breath through to the closing track Eclipse, this was an absolute master class and this reggae collective is clearly made up of genuinely high quality musicians.
‘Money’ and of course ‘Great Gig In The Sky’ were for me the highlights of this gig and showcased the power and precision of the band along with stunning vocals and harmonies throughout.
‘Us And Them’ became an epic workout with some great sax, trombone and keyboard workouts and left both the crowd and band exhausted in the near greenhouse conditions.
‘Brain Damage’ and ‘Eclipse’ brought the album to a close with and the vocal work especially on Brain Damage was yet another highlight of the gig.
And yet there was more …
The Michael Jackson standard PYT went down well with the capacity audience and for good measure they also covered a couple of Radiohead tunes in the shape of ‘Electioneering’ and ‘Karma Police’ which brought the evening to a close.
It would be very easy for a band like this to become just yet another run of the mill tribute band, of which there are already far too many. But in the case of Easy All Stars, their take on massively popular albums and tracks is quite unique, and let’s be honest, if reggae doesn’t get you moving and put a smile on your face, then it’s time to pack up and go home.
This band can’t fail to get your feet moving and make you smile, if you get a chance to go see them make sure you take it.
I’m sure Pink Floyd, Radiohead and The Beatles would approve!
Set List: