lightning seeds
Cambridge Junction - 5th Nov 22
Review - Andy Bowes
Support act for the evening Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy came on stage in his trademark beanie hat and gave a pleasant but understated performance of 7 or 8 songs, including “all the hits… because I haven’t had many” to an appreciative audience. It was a nice warm up for the main event.
Ian Broudie and his 4 piece band, including his son Riley (subject of the hit song “The Life of Riley”) now 31 years old and playing lead guitar, started with the song “Sunshine” from the new album, “See You In The Stars”. This was well received and followed immediately by a blistering version of “Ready or Not” which really got the crowd jumping.
Broudie announced the set would include old and new songs and he didn’t disappoint, with 4 tracks from the new album and a string of Britpop era classics. The new songs included “Great to be Alive” which he described as “his favourite track on the album” and two together “Losing You” followed by “Emily Smiles” (co-written with Terry Hall), after which he quipped “well that was painless”.
Many of the classics were played, including “Lucky You” “Perfect” “What If…”, “Sense” and a brilliant triple treat of “Sugar Coated Iceberg” followed by “The Life of Riley” and then “Pure”. If that had been the end, it would have been enough, but they came back for an encore with a brilliant extended version of “Marvellous” and finished with a rousing version of “Three Lions” which had the whole place singing and dancing. Broudie’s comment was “well, this is our last song, I won’t say too much….but there’s a World Cup in 3 weeks…”
It’s easy to forget just how good The Lightning Seeds are. The new songs fitted in brilliantly with a whole string of brilliant old songs, every one a classic. If you get the chance, go and see them live.
They won’t disappoint.
Links:
spear of destiny
Brudenell, Leeds - 22nd Nov 22
Review and Photos - Levi Tubman
Despite playing a genre I really like, and forming not long after I was born in the early 80’s, they’re a band that have somehow flown completely under my radar, so I thought I’ll go with fresh ears tonight, I won’t listen to old albums or even look up the support, I want it to be surprised, safe to say I was.
Onto the stage walks a man, I’d say in his 50’s dressed in black, carrying an umbrella, sunglasses and a fedora, followed by a woman who it seems was the “Band” all the music played from a laptop, it wasn’t low quality pub karaoke though, it was a full professional band on the track, and then he starts a mixture of singing and spitting out lyrics, with its take on politics and the state of the world, like a smarter dressed more serious cousin of John Cooper Clarke.
It’s a slightly strange experience, especially when he starts telling the audience to take their clothes off and that 9/11 was an inside job, while using the umbrella as a machine gun! But at some point in the night, not long after a Ruts cover, the energy really starts to pick up, and I realise I’m actually really enjoying it.
His vocals really power through with the messages, blending seamlessly into the backing tracks, which I now presume are from when he was with a full band, he had energy and passion and despite a few unusual moments, he really warmed the crowd up and I might now be a fan!
Unlike the rest of the audience this was new to me so I had no idea why the Sweeney theme suddenly blasted out of the PA, but the band came dancing on to huge cheers, While an odd choice it works, and then they started, no hello Leeds, no introduction just a count of 4 and we’re away!
Loud…
We’re talking Motorhead volume here, can’t say I’ve heard anything on that level at the old social club before and I don’t remember the last time I heard a voice so suited to punk/post punk as Kirk Brandon’s. Nestled in the pure wall of sound it’s quite captivating, up there with best of them.
I completely forgot I was supposed to be getting some shots of the band at first, a difficult task on its own that night, with half the band almost hidden in shadow, and for the second time of the night I didn’t know what I was watching but I knew it was bloody good!
Physically they’re not a dynamic band, Brandon looked almost shy up there, but they play with an energy that puts most bands to shame, The saxophonist dances around his mic providing backing vocals rather than just standing there, and where most drummers use toms mainly for fills, these where pounded relentlessly, I know I was down the front but at times I could hear them over the PA, god knows how he had no breakages.
3 songs in we get a thank you Leeds with a shy smile and they’re back to it, normally I hate bands who don’t talk, they can feel disconnected to the audience, but not here. With the occasional fist bump from Adrian Portas while the other hand holds the last note of a solo ringing out, and band members pointing out to random people in the audience, they address the audience maybe 4 times at the most, one of which from local bassist Craig Adams with the chant (Of course) of LEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDS.
Like most bands after 4 decades, apart from front man and main song writer Kirk, they’ve had a few line-up changes, with a staggering 25 past members passing through, however the current line-up has been fairly stable for a while. With musicians from bands such as The Sisters Of Mercy, New Model Army and Tokyo Dragons.
They have the talent to backup the songs, and the experience shows on stage and then just like that they’re walking off stage, at this point I almost left but they came back with two of their biggest fan favourites, and the crowd finally explode, with the band getting faster and louder, Kirk biting into every word and then it’s over for real, peace descends and everyone’s now hugging and high fiving, showing off set lists and drum sticks they’ve gotten from the band, having been fully taken back to their teenage years.
The more I enjoy a band the harder I find to write a review, I find them too good to put into mere words, but I will say you can keep your multi million pound stadium tours, with £300 tickets for an artist with 2 albums to their name.
Give me bands with vast back catalogues, who have seen and lived it all, playing down the road from the stadium. I certainly didn’t expect, on a wet Autumn Tuesday evening in The Brudenell, Leeds to see, hand on heart, one of the best gigs of my life, sure it helps that they play a style I like, but I challenge you to find someone doing it better.
Set list:
Sweeney Theme Tune (Walk on)
Rainmaker
Young Men
Soldier Soldier
Grapes Of Wrath
Coward
Playground Of The Rich
The Wheel
Never Take Me Alive
Land Of Shame
World Service
Mickey
Liberator
Links:
blancmange
Leeds Wardrobe - 24th Nov 22
Review and Photos - Liam McEvoy
A wet and windy night saw the 80’s synthpop powerhouse Blancmange call into the Wardrobe, Leeds to deliver a blistering set on the back of their latest album ‘Private View’. With a setlist packed with as many classic tracks as it had new, this was a show that had the crowd dancing from the first moment to the last.
Before Blancmange, it was founding member of Cabaret Voltaire, Stephen Mallinder first up. With his latest album Tick Tick Tick released earlier this year, Mallinder produced a brilliant set full of incredible drumbeats, swirling synths and electronic vocals that warmed the crowd up perfectly.
With the anticipation running high, it was time for the main event and vocalist Neil Arthur took to the stage to raucous applause, and powered straight into the opening track of the new album “What’s Your Name”. This was quickly followed by “Reduced Voltage” which was already too much for one excited fan who joined Arthur on stage for a brief cameo in the show.
Whilst the opening tracks went down extremely well with the crowd, it was the back catalogue that really got the place moving. Tracks taken from Blancmange’s classic 1982 album Happy Families, ‘Feel Me’ and ‘I've Seen The World’ saw the biggest reaction from the crowd.
Arthur continued with the back catalogue with tracks like ‘What's The Time’ taken from the bands 2017 album, Unfurnished Rooms fitting seamlessly with the band’s older tracks such as ‘That’s Love, That It Is’ and ‘Blind Vision’ which were both taken from the bands 1984 album Mange Tout.
Arthur was clearly in fine form throughout the show and ended on the highest of highs with ‘Living On The Ceiling’. This closed out the show and left the crowd clearly wanting more.
With the new album ‘Private View’ out now, Blancmange are as strong as ever, and this show perfectly highlighted that.
With a few dates left on the UK tour it is well worth catching this band live if you get the chance.
Set List
1. What's Your Name
2. Reduced Voltage
3. Feel Me
4. I've Seen The World
5. Mindset
6. Last Night
7. Not A Priority
8. Waves
9. What’s The Time
10. Private View
11. That’s Love, That It Is
12. We Are The Chemicals
13. Take Me
14. Game Above My Head
15. Some Times These
16. Blind Vision
17. Living On The Ceiling
Links:
placebo
O2 Leeds - 30th Nov 22
Review and Photos - Levi Tubman
I was here 25 years ago, back when it was called the Town and Country club, queueing outside with touts offering tickets for Placebos first album tour for a whopping £9! This week I saw some resale ones up for £300 to see them at tonight’s sold out gig, after a quarter of a century can they live up to the hype of the ticket prices?
Opening tonight are the Cruel Hearts Club, an alternative punky all girl 3 piece, with a great collection of catchy songs, thick bass and drums you really felt in your chest, fitting nicely with the higher vocals and fuzzy guitar, after supporting acts such as Iggy Pop and the Libertines you can see why this fresh sounding band was chosen to open the night and get everyone pumped up.
The lights dim, and Molko’s voice comes over the PA thanking people for coming on behalf of himself and Stefan, but to remind everyone that, sent with the mantra respect and love, tonight is a no phone night, I’d missed any signs before this but it explains why security where in the crowd even while no bands where playing stopping people from taking even group selfies, and then we wait.
The Cruel Hearts Club have got the crowd pumped, we’ve all heard Brian’s recorded message, the crowd where so ready but we had to wait another 15 minutes before the band came on stage, during which I was grabbed by security and given my first warning, we’d been warned, no touching the stage under any circumstance, this had now been moved to a foot back from the stage and don’t take a picture of the set list!
As a power trio with a changing drummer they only have the two original constant members, Brian and Stefan ,but four other musicians come onstage first, including a bass player, Stefan’s main role in the past, couple of guitarists and keyboard players, launching into the first song it seems these roles are moved around tonight with Stefan moving between bass and guitar, with a permanent second guitarist playing though out, with Brian playing on select parts of the tracks.
Sadly this is getting more common with bands these days, freeing up the singer, but on more than one occasion he forgot to turn the volume up on his guitar when joining in, taking one hand away to roll it up, forgetting the strings had been hit, giving us discordant noise before he can grab the guitar and start playing his part, the same issue with a solo where we got a burst of feedback leading to a slightly ropey start as he joins in mid song cold, I couldn’t tell if this hadn’t been practiced enough or the band where having technical difficulties?
If you’re coming to hear a mix of hits from their 8 album back catalogue, you’re going to be disappointed, with most songs coming from their latest album with a small selection from the past and only Bionic from their first album, while this isn’t new, its rare bands push new material this hard, fans always want to hear the older hits, even if it’s a couple on the encore, a complaint I’ve heard about Placebo gigs over the past couple of tours.
They did play something that’s been in their repertoire for the last song of the night, their fantastic cover of Running Up That Hill, sadly I didn’t get that far, security grabbed me again, using my phone, away from the stage, to check my sugar levels, as type 1 diabetic, I tried to explain over the noise to be told, phone away or leave, so I left! I wasn’t the first, one photographer seemed to be using her phone to see something on her camera, but in view of the band, so 2 members of security escorted her immediately out.
Despite this they do play well, although It felt like a band on bit of an off night, with over strict venue security, but it’s so easy to miss that exciting dynamic power trio blasting through years of hits, only to be replaced with sessions musicians pulling most of the weight musically, with Brian there for vocals and token guitar, at times looking bored and to be going through the motions, but life moves on and bands evolve, and their music should grow with them, and while newer fans will have had a great night a lot of older fans, myself included left feeling a bit disappointed, I never expected to see people stood still with arms crossed while watching Placebo!
This of course written with Respect And Love…
Set List:
1. Forever Chemicals
2. Beautiful James
3. Scene of the Crime
4. Hugz
5. Happy Birthday in the Sky
6. Bionic
7. Twin Demons
8. Surrounded by Spies
9. Chemtrails
10. Sad White Reggae
11. Try Better Next Time
12. Too Many Friends
13. Went Missing
14. For What It's Worth
15. Slave to the Wage
16. Song to Say Goodbye
17. The Bitter End
18. Infra-red
Encore:
19. Fix Yourself 1
20. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
Links:
the cure - The lost world tour 22
Leeds Arena - 6th Dec 22
Review and photos - John McEvoy
As the British winter starts to bite, and we head into Dickensian times with foodbanks and people struggling to keep themselves warm, you could be forgiven for thinking that life is pretty bleak at the moment.
However, a freezing Wednesday night at the arena in Leeds saw almost 14,000 people forget (temporarily at least) about the shit show this current inept Govt is overseeing, and witness what can only be described as one of those ‘I was there moments’ when a band who’ve been around now for over 40 years delivered a set of stunning power and quality over a 2 and a half hour set covering 27 songs including as yet unreleased material.
The Cure like all of us a getting older but age has certainly not dimmed their ability to show why they are still rightly lauded as one of the greatest live acts around.
With a back catalogue of 13 albums to choose from, and a new one on the way, they certainly have no shortage of tracks to choose from. It was therefore somewhat ironic that they kick started the set with ‘Alone’ from the forthcoming album ‘Songs Of A Lost World’.
It was a clear indication that they haven’t lost the muse, as the band played the opening thunderous guitar heavy intro with that distinctive bass sound from Simon Gallup in his familiar Hooky low slung style. Meanwhile Robert Smith prowled the stage simply looking at the crowd, with a half-smile, clearly loving every minute of it.
Then it was straight into ‘Pictures Of You’ from ‘89’s ‘Disintegration’ and from that point there was no turning back. Smith is now 63 and the good thing is that to me at least his voice hasn’t changed one bit! That distinctive tenor like quality was still as rich as ever.
Now at this point, I need to state that I have no intention of going through the set track by track, as the full setlist is below. What I really wanted to try to convey to you was just how glorious this gig was. I’m fortunate in that I get to photograph and review a lot of gigs each year and it’s all too easy to get a little blasé about seeing band after band.
Occasionally though, you go to a gig and the sheer quality of what you are witnessing stops you in your tracks and makes you realise just how good some bands are.
For me at least, The Cure without a shadow of doubt fall into that category and what was great to see was that even though they’ve been around for over 40 years, looking at the age range of the audience they are still capturing the ears and hearts of new generations.
Whilst there have been many personnel changes within the band, the current line-up of Simon Gallup (Bass), Reeves Gabrels (Guitar), Roger O’Donnell (Keyboards), Perry Bamonte (Guitar/Keyboards) and Jason Cooper (Drums) collectively delivered a dazzling masterclass throughout the evening, perfectly fronted by Smith and achieved the often-challenging task of making well known and established tracks sound fresh and timeless.
The Cure have never really been about singles, but the two (yes 2!) encores served up what are generally regarded as their ‘big hits’ with ‘Friday I’m in Love’ and set closer ‘Boy’s Don’t Cry’. Curiously there was no ‘Love Cats’ but on a night like this it didn’t matter.
This band are about so much more than just singles. Checkout their 13 albums for yourselves if you don’t believe me. Plus, the material from the yet to be released new album promise more quality tunes.
Like a fine wine, they seem to be getting better with age.
And so, as I write this review, having given myself some time for reflection, I can safely say that for me this was THE GIG of 2022 and I’m glad that I can say ‘I was there’!!
Long may this band continue to do what they do…
Set list:
Alone
Pictures Of You
A Night Like This
Lovesong
And Nothing Is Forever
The Last Day Of Summer
Cold
Burn
A Strange Day
Push
Shake Dog Shake
A Fragile Thing
At Night
Play For Today
A Forest
From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea
Endsong
Encore:
I Can Never Say Goodbye
Plainsong
Disintegration
Encore 2:
Lullaby
The Walk
Friday I'm In Love
Close To Me
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
Boys Don't Cry
Links:
boston manor
The Parish, Huddersfield - 15th Dec 22
Review and photos - Fern Dalton
Forget about the minus temperatures outside, BOSTON MANOR are in town to heat the place up! Every member of the Lanchashire band absolutely brought their best performance to the crowd of The Parish, Hudderfield - a gig to warm the cockels!
Electrifying, raw and infectious - their music is a unique blend of punk, rock and pop that is impossible not to sing along to. Lead singer, Henry Cox, has an incredible voice and stage presence; there wasn't one person in the room not jumping, with plenty of crowd surfers too!
One of the standout moments of the night was when the band played their hit song "Halo," which had the entire audience moving. It was a truly unforgettable gig.
Boston Manor are a MUST SEE band; with their charm, talent and incredible energy, their live show is genuinely something special!
Set list:
Datura
Floodlights
Foxglove
Passenger
Crocus
Inertia
Flowers in your dustbin
England's Dreaming
Stop Trying
Lead Feet
Bad Machine
You Me
Carbon
Lanka
Halo
Links:
the 1975
Leeds Arena - 23rd Jan 23
Review by John McEvoy, photos by Jordan Curtis Hughes
It’s not often you see your rock starts munching on a piece of raw steak, and climbing inside a TV, but those were just a few of the highlights from an epic gig last night at a capacity Leeds Arena as The 1975 came to town.
It would be fair to say that this was a gig that pretty much threw the rule book out the window in terms of performance. Usually when a band have a new album to promote, the new tracks are squeezed in throughout a set accompanied by more established releases.
The 1975 were having non of that. In Oct 22 they had just released their deservedly critically acclaimed 5thalbum ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ and the first half of tonight’s gig was predominantly a run through of the album. Playing relatively new tracks can be a high-risk strategy when you have an audience of nearly 14,000 waiting to have a good time, but it was a risk that paid off handsomely.
With the stage made up to look like rooms in a house the band wandered in one by one, and centre stage appeared Matt Healy resplendent in suit looking like he’d had yet another shit day at the office.
Sparking up a cigarette and drinking wine, he was straight into The 1975 (BFIALF) and there was no looking back for the next two hours plus. As I mentioned, the first half was made up of material from the new album and it’s easy to see why this band has been nominated for several awards in the upcoming Brits.
Curiously at no point for the first hour did the band break the 4th wall rule and the only time Healy acknowledged the crowd was when he talked directly into a camera, again a high-risk strategy for a band but it really did work.
If Healy ever gets the acting bug, he will probably do a good job, such was his ability to appear increasingly hammered, you began to genuinely fear for his safety, especially when he climbed up onto the roof of the set.
The first half was brought to a close with Healy munching on a piece of raw steak, which I know some people found uncomfortable to watch (but maybe that was the point) and then he clambered into a TV which was pumping out fuzzy images of Putin, Truss and Prince Andrew, so read into that what you will.
All I know is that I really liked this concept, and it was refreshing to see such a big band take a completely leftfield approach to a live performance.
The second half kicked off after a few house renovations, and it was straight into the usual ‘big hits’ section which reminded me of just how many great tunes they have written over the last 10 years or so.
The 4th wall was well and truly shattered when Healy then went into the ‘how you doin’ Yorkshire’ routine, and he reminded everyone that one of their very first live performances was in front of 70 ish people at the much missed Cockpit.
He even brought a bit of the gameshow element into proceedings when he asked the audience to choose which track they wanted to hear based on how loud their response was to each tune. For the record it was actually ‘Paris’ that won that one!
The remainder of the set showed a band in fine form and ‘Give Yourself A Try’ brought the evening to a close, and sent a crowd out into the Leeds winter night feeling like they had seen not just another ‘run of the mill’ gig, but rather this was an event that I suspect people will remember for a long time to come.
More power to them as far as I’m concerned and I applaud them for trying something just a little bit different.
Set list:
The 1975 (BFIAFL)
Looking For Somebody To Love
Happiness
Part Of The Band
Oh Caroline
I’m In Love With You
Smile
All I Need To Hear
Sincerity Is Scary
Falling For You
I Like America and America Likes Me
About You
If You’re Too Shy
TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
Chocolate
It’s Not Living
Paris
Robbers
Somebody Else
I Always Wanna Die
Love It IF We Made IT
The Sound
Sex
Give Yourself A Try
25 tracks in total
Links:
the dolly rots & don't panic
Leeds Key Club 16th Feb 23
Review by Levi Tubman
Photos of The Dolly Rots and Don't Panic by Levi Tubman
The Dolly Rots
Punks not dead! And for those who think it is, the Dollyrots on a co-headlining tour with Don’t Panic have set sail for England to educate the musical masses. Bounding onto the dark stage to Rebel Girl, the Dollyrots, husband and wife duo of Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas are grinning ear to ear launch straight into the first track, I Do, full energy and full volume, blasting out their own brand of bubble-gum tinged pop punk and the crowd love it as much as they do.
This isn’t the bands first time in the UK supporting Bowling For Soup and punk icons The Buzzcocks but itsfantastic to finally see them headlining where they deserve to be, with 2 decades of material at their disposal were treated to their killer cover of Melanie’s Brand New Key” Although with some questionable English accents, and a very sad Kelly who found out the UK’s version of the dollar store is called pound land!
Enthusiasm and energy radiates from the pair and their music, with catchy riffs and Kellys voice belting over the top, very little comes close to seeing a band play live but with the Dollyrots, very few bands come close to anything like seeing them, with a stage presence of a band on an arena tour crammed into an underground basement venue its electric from the first chord to the last dying note.
It’s fantastic to see a range of ages in the captivated audiences, down the front a few young teens, mixed with ages up through their parents, all screaming along united by the music, bringing in influences from modern punk all the way back though 60’s doo-wop not only gives their music such a catchy sound but really widens their fan base.
It’s not just the fans that are of all ages, they truly are a family band, and towards the set their 2 kids, River and Daisy, for some truly terrible dad jokes from River with Daisy reacting on the drums with badum-tiss! Interacting with the crowd and joking with audience members its obvious he’sborn for the stage too, picking up life skills to a background of laughter and the occasional isn’t he adorable!
Rounding off the night with fan favourite Satellite and Because I’m Awesome after asking the audience to pretend they’ve gone off the stage and come back for the encore, there’s no time for that! They don’t take many breaks between songs, introducing them as quickly as possible, almost so desperate to get the stored energy and music out to the crowd they don’t want to waste a single second.
For me this the gig highlight for the year, a band I’ve wanted to see again for a few years, a band who never disappoint, and always give 100% to the crowd, who appreciate the audience and are more than happy to interact and chat with them, if you ever get a chance to see them you should go, they are a band who, while at their peak, seem to have been there for a few years and really don’t look to be stopping! Although a shame for such low lighting in the venue, making shots a little hard, and no new material tonight, every song they played was fantastic and loved by the crowd,
With a huge back catalogue that includes B sides and cover and albums of their own material they’ve a lot to pull from, but with a new album coming out this year im certain they’ll be out on the road again pretty soon!
Setlist:
1. I Do
2. My Best Friends Hot
3. Everything
4. Twist Me To The Left
5. I Know How To Party
6. City Of Angels
7. Brand New Key (Melanie cover)
8. Dance Like A Maniac
9. Jackie Chan
10. Satellite
11. Because I’mAwesome
Links:
Don't Panic
While vocalist and guitarist Ted Felicetti has played the UK before with an acoustic set supporting members of Bowling four soup on their acoustic sing-along-tour this is the band’s first visit here, and after a few inter-band lessons in English on chuffed and chants of YORKSHIRE they were ready to play.
Now these guys can really play, and it’s easy to see why, talking to the band before they went on stage they told me this is their second tour of the year, the second week in February and already their second tour with at least another 3 planned this year, oh and when they get back to the US they are recording the vocals to their new album, the rest already done, and it’s not just tours they pack their time with single gigs as often as they can!
This level of live gigs means they make it look effortless, it’s the level of dedication and professionalism that lets them be as sill and relaxed on stage as they want, hardly staying in place for half a song, jumping and skipping about, pulling faces at each other and the crowd, it’s only the microphone stands that keep them coming back to their spots, and all without missing a single beat.
They are by no means a hardcore punk band, their snappy riffs, rounded tone and Ted’s voice work so well together to create the perfect blend of catchy pop punk that’s full of energy and bounce its infectious, and the audience love it just as much as they do, every song is as eagerly awaited as the next, there’s no filler here, despite only having a few albums to their name they don’t sound to have any weak point in their repertoire, and even squeezed in a couple of new tracks including the excellent Just a call away.
While they’ve gone back over to Pennsylvania, now they’ve crossed the Delaware and beyond I don’t think it’s the last time we’re going to see them over here, and they’ll be welcomed wherever they play.
Having perfected their craft and practiced playing to perfection there’s nothing stopping them, I didn’t know much about them before tonight, but I’ve now spent the past few days listening to them because they’re hard to get out of your ears!
Setlist :
1. WatershipDown
2. Let It Go
3. Sheep InWolves Clothing
4. Just ACall Away
5. Regret Is A Terrible Roomate
6. Molly’s Lips (The Vaselinescover)
7. What’s A Guy To Do
8. No Time For Second Chances
9. Friends Make Better Enemies
10. Woe I
11. Ramona
12. Fall Of’99
Links:
the sheratons
Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh - 25th Feb 23
Review and photos by Hannah Claire
The 100-capacity, intimate grassroots venue Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh was the perfect setting for this gig. The ‘This Feeling’ event drew a diverse crowd, with performances from The Figurines, Attic Days, and Weekend Away alongside Leeds-based indie-rock group, The Sheratons.
It was fantastic to see so much talent in the space of a few hours, and it really shows how important events like these are for upcoming artists across the country.
Fronted by Kane Bulleyment, The Sheratons brought an electric energy to the stage. Guitarist Finley Ryan, bassist Alex Creasy, and Tom Bowman on drums all came together to deliver an upbeat, energetic show which seemed to be enjoyed by all. They played a great collection of songs and made it an interactive show for all.
Despite the small venue, the crowd was undoubtedly impressive. Throughout the set, they were lively, supporting the band across every song they performed. And it was nice to see fewer phones in the air- people were truly just taking in a night of great live music. It’s a rare sight these days, although I admit I am also guilty of spending too much time capturing the moment, rather than living in it.
The young band's talents really shone through during their performance, making me excited to see what they do next- and what other venues they’ll take to the stage in.
Links:
slow readers club + support Andrew cushin
Leeds Stylus - 4th March 23
Review and photos Liam McEvoy
Following the release of their latest album Knowledge Freedom Power, The Slow Readers Club called into the University Stylus in Leeds to deliver a storming set that had the crowd dancing from start to finish.
Before the main event however the Geordie singer songwriter Andrew Cushin took to the stage to warm the crowd up. With an undeniable stage presence, he played a brilliant set that got the crowd involved from the off and was a genuinely great support act. The future bodes well for Andrew Cushin
It was then time for the main event. Preceded by the usual cries of “Readers” The band took to the stage and wasted no time in powering into the opening track from their newest album ‘Modernise’. The Manchester band then delighted the crowd by playing a number of tracks from their extensive back catalogue including ‘Plant The Seed’ which saw a great reaction from the audience.
The Slow Readers Club are a band that have a great reputation for brilliant live shows and they certainly didn’t disappoint tonight. The band powered through a number of fan favourites including ‘Jericho’, ‘You Opened Up My Heart’ and taken from the band’s debut album ‘Feet on Fire’ which had a massive reaction from the crowd.
Following this the band left the stage however accompanied by the crowd’s cries of “Readers” they came back for the obligatory encore and went straight into ‘I Saw a Ghost’ taken from the bands 2015 album Cavalcade.
The show was closed with the title track from the band’s newest album ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ followed by arguably the bands biggest track ‘Lunatic’ which saw the biggest reaction of the night and closed the gig in style.
The Slow Readers Club are a band that are going from strength to strength and the gig in Leeds was another example of just how good this band is. Slow Readers Club career is clearly going from strength to strength, and their live shows are testament to just how good this band are.
Set List:
Modernise
Tell No Lies
All I Hear
The Greatest Escape
The Wait
Afterlife
Plant The Seed
Everything I Own
Forever In Your Debt
Jericho
How Could You Know
You Opened Up My Heart
Lay Your Troubles on Me
On The TV
Feet On Fire
Encore:
I Saw a Ghost
Wanted Much More
Knowledge Freedom Power
Lunatic
Links:
banners
Newcastle Cluny - 4th March 23
Review and photos Hannah Claire
BANNERS concluded his epic 12 date U.K. tour at The Cluny in Newcastle, and the show was spectacular. Located in a former mill,
The Cluny is a great little venue, with fantastic acoustics - and it’s intimate enough for all gig-goers to have a great view of the stage.
The first performance of the night came from Delphii, whose incredible vocals did a stellar job of opening the show. It was incredible to see such a big and supportive crowd for the first support act – and Delphi was certainly worthy of the support.
Next up was Tommy Ashby, who is upbeat energy was a great way to get the crowd going. Originally from Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, Ashby gave a memorable performance, and his strong stage presence kept everyone engaged- and got the crowd hyped up for BANNERS.
After two phenomenal support acts, it was time for the main act.
As soon as BANNERS took to the stage, the crowd went crazy. The set was a perfect mix of slower, emotive ballads like ‘Perfectly Broken’ and ‘Half Light’, and faster paced tracks like ‘Shine a Light’ and ‘Tell You I Love You’- which got the room bouncing.
His bouncy stage presence made it impossible to not bop along to each and every immaculately written track- and the energy was really felt through the bouncing floor all night.
Closing out with top hit “Someone To You” - which went viral on TikTok recently - BANNERS had the whole venue absolutely bouncing. The 300 strong crowd were all singing along and it really felt like the perfect way to end the night.
I think big things are coming for BANNERS- and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Links:
The answer
Leeds Key Club - 21st March 23
Review and photos Liam McEvoy
Following the release of their latest studio album and first album for over 6 years, The Answer called into Leeds’s premier rock venue The Key Club to deliver a set that was a pure celebration of the band’s music both new and old.
Before The Answer took to the stage Oli Brown & The Dead Collective warmed up the crowd in supreme style. The band performed an electric set that blasted through the packed venue and had the crowd enraptured from start to finish. With new music on the way and a further tour to be announced, Oli Brown & The Dead Collective are definitely a band to watch.
At 9pm The Answer took to the stage and opened their set with ‘Keep Believin’. A track that was sure to please long-time fans of the band and show from the off just what The Answer are all about. Thundering guitars and relentless drums kicked the gig off in supreme style.
The band followed this up with ‘Blood Brother’, a track that was released back in 2022 as the first single from the newest album this had the crowd jumping along in delight. They then proceeded to power through a blistering set with tracks taken from their extensive back catalogue such as ‘Nowhere Freeway’ and ‘Under The Sky’.
The Answer closed the gig in much the same fashion as they began, with incredible energy storming guitars and thundering drums.
‘Want You to Love Me’ ended the show in true rock and roll fashion, however the band shortly returned to the stage and performed ‘Livin’ on The Line’ and arguably the bands biggest track ‘Preachin’ which definitely left the crowd wanting more.
Off the back of the release of The Answer’s newest album ‘Sundowners’ they have embarked on a UK tour and with only a couple of dates left at the time of writing, this is a band well worth seeing live.
Set List:
1. Keep Believin’
2. Blood Brother
3. Tonight
4. Oh Cherry
5. Under the Sky
6. Nowhere Freeway
7. Sundowners
8. All Together
9. California Rust
10. Spectacular
11. Come Follow Me
12. Always Alright
13. Want You to Love Me
Encore:
14. Livin’ On The Line
15. Preachin’
Links:
suede
O2 Leeds - 30th March 23
Word and photos - John McEvoy
Based on what I witnessed at the O2 in Leeds, I think it would be fair to say that like a fine wine, Suede gets better with age, and following the release of their ninth album, Autofiction, which received well deserved critical acclaim, they are still very much at the tip of their game, both in terms of their recorded output, and live performances.
A packed venue including the obligatory ‘pig head’ (which security weren’t too keen about) enjoyed a deliriously raucous, noisy, and downright entertaining night.
Such is the quality of their new album, that the first 3 opening tracks were all from Autofiction, and even though it’s only been out for just over 6 months, these tracks sounded like they’ve been around forever, and the appreciative audience loved them like they were old friends.
Front man Brett Anderson is still as sprightly as ever, and frankly never stood still throughout. He’s fond of getting up close with the audience and tonight was no exception.
Having a back catalogue of 9 albums of course gives the band plenty of material to utilise and throughout the set older tracks were liberally sprinkled with the current band made up of Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, Richard Oakes and Neil Coding delivering a powerhouse performance.
Naturally tracks like Animal Nitrate, Drowners and Trash were rapturously received by the crowd, but what really struck me was just how good their new tracks sounded.
Whether it was simply because it was the last night of the current UK tour, I thought that there was a genuine joy in their performance tonight, and for a band that have been around for almost 30 years including their mid noughties hiatus, you would be hard pushed to find a better band around at the moment both in terms of their live performances, and their recorded output.
Back in 2013 they received the Q ‘Icon Award. which traditionally seemed to be given to bands who are generally past their best. This couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Suede.
As I said at the top of this review, like a fine wine, they get better with age, and long may their raucous, energetic rock ‘n’ roll career continue!
Further live dates are planned for later this year in Europe and the UK, I would urge you get catch them live if you can.
I promise you won’t regret it.
Setlist:
· Turn Off Your Brain and yell*
· Personality Disorder*
· 15 Again*
· The Drowners
· Animal Nitrate
· Trash
· Filmstar
· Pale Snow
· I Know How To Reach You
· Stay Together
· The Only Way I can Love You*
· She Still Leads Me On
· Shadow Self*
· Can’t Get enough
· The Wild Ones
· That Boy On Stage
· So Young
· Metal Mickey
· New Generation
- Encore:
- Beautiful Ones
Links:
inspiral carpets
O2 Leeds - 8th April 23
Word and photos - Dave Flerin
The oldies are out in force tonight and are remarkably well-oiled, leaving me to fear for tonight’s support act, The Solution, who have that lambs-to-the-slaughter look about them as they take to the stage.
But surprisingly, their bleak, post-punk indie noise wins over a merry but knowledgeable audience, who appreciate what they’re doing (think of Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure).
Their success tonight is in no small part, down to the charisma and star quality of their frontman; and his prolific use of the c-word to describe himself (“forgetful c***”), a guest saxophonist (“Southern c***”), and the audience (“set of c***s”).
Definitely a band who look like they’ll be making a big name for themselves in the not-too-distant future!
An expectant audience are further primed by the DJ who plays every Madchester hit in existence, so that when the Inspirals kick off their set, everybody is ready to party like it’s 1989.
Current drummer Kev Clark announces himself with a kick-ass solo to bring She Comes in the Fall to a close. The addition of Jake Fletcher on bass, as well as the return of their original singer Stephen Holt all creates a perfect storm which steers proceedings away from what could have felt like a cheap nostalgia cash-in tour, to stratosphere-scraping euphoria.
Hit after hit is skilfully dispensed to the adoring audience, from opener Joe, to set closer Dragging Me Down.
Even Mark E Smith and John Cooper Clark appear on video to bless proceedings with their respective guest vocals. A poignant moment is shared between band and audience when a video montage paying tribute to founding member and drummer, the late Craig Gill is shared prior to the encore.
After thanking absolutely everyone in their team, they close their encore with Saturn 5, before departing with a promise to have a new album by the next time they’re in town.
If you like them, and have the opportunity, don’t love them from afar like I did for 33 years, go see them in the flesh; they won’t disappoint.
Links:
orbital
O2 Leeds - 5th April 23
Words & photos John McEvoy
It was great to see the titans of dance music back in Leeds and this time and based on what I witnessed, over a 30 plus year career, they have clearly not lost their ability to deliver stunning music against a spectacular visual light show and video backdrop.
Back on the road to tour and celebrate the release of their critically acclaimed 10th album ‘Optical Delusion’ it wasn’t long before the new material made an appearance, firstly with ‘Ringa Ringa’ the opening track from the new album, and whilst this may have been new material for a lot of the audience, but it was well received with its distinctive trance vibe and the nursery rhyme overlaid on top.
‘Dirty Rat’ featuring the Sleaford Mods was another one of the many highlights with front man Jason Williamson on the video backdrop snarling out his vocals and the O2 loved it.
Looking across the audience it was clear to see that whilst there were a lot of people who were ‘old ravers’back in the day, the Hartnoll brothers still attract a lot of new people into the Orbital world.
Of course, whilst the new material went down well, it was the real bangers that lifted the roof off the place which is exactly what ‘Belfast’ and ‘Chime’ and whilst these tunes are now over 30 (yes 30!) years old, they still have the capacity to bring the house down.
‘Out There Somewhere’ and ‘Lush’ brought proceedings to close with their distinctive acid trance beats and it’s easy to see why this band are rightly revered as the godfathers of acid house/trance.
Long may their reign continue and their famous spotlight glasses continue to shine bright!
You can see some of their Glastonbury sets here
Setlist:
Smiley
Ringa Ringa*
Where Is It Going
Dirty Rat*
Satan
Requiem For Pre Apocalypse*
You Are The Frequency*
Home
Nothing Left Pt 2
Are You Alive*
Halcyon – Spicy
The New Abnormal*
Belfast
Chime
Links:
dma's
St Georges Hall, Bradford - 13th April 23
Words & photos - John McEvoy
It’s not often that Bradford gets many high profile bands passing through these days, so it was good to see the DMA’s roll into town on their ‘How Many Dreams’ tour on the back of the release of their 4th album of the same name.
I realise that it’s been said a million times, but it is worth stating once again the DMA’s hail from Australia. They may be one of the most British bands you’ve ever heard, but nope, they come from the other side of the world!
Unusually tonight there were 2 support acts, Liverpool band The Rats whose indie dance orientated rap style was a top start to proceedings and had this reviewer making a mental note to look for more of their material.
Second up it was Glaswegian Dylan John Thomas whose folk/rock style went down an absolute treat with the crowd.
And so it was onto the main course in the shape of the DMA’s who are made up of Tommy O’Dell on vocals, Matthew Mason on guitar and Johnny Took on acoustic guitar who along with additional band members delivered a high octane set to a capacity crowd who were clearly ‘up for it’ from the off.
Set opener ‘How Many Dreams’ (the title track from the new album) even though it’s only been out a matter of weeks has already become a firm crowd favourite. An urgent acoustic rhythm is hammered out in near darkness by Took as the rest of the band take to the stage, and O’Dells distinctive vocals kick in, and the crowd immediately bounce along.
From there it’s straight into ‘Olympia’ which is another from the new album and highlight of this one is the blistering guitar solo from Mason.
As I mentioned at the top of this review, it’s easy to see why so many people think the DMA’s are and English band. They have clearly been influenced by bands such as Oasis, and that is certainly not a bad thing.
This isn’t the kind of band that like to have a chat with the audience between songs, and to be fair to them, with such an increasingly strong back catalogue they clearly prefer to let the audience enjoy their tunes rather use the cliched “Hello (insert town/city name here) how you doin’” nonsense.
Personally, I thought their new track ‘Fading Like A Picture’ was a genuine highlight of the gig with its driving indie pop feel giving the crowd the chance to engage in a furious dance/singalong session.
Of course crowd pleaser ‘Laydown’ had to be given a run out tonight to bring the set to a close and the crowd loved every minute of it.
There are people out there who may think that their sound is a little dated as it no doubt harks back to some elements of Indi Brit Pop, but the DMA’s have been clever enough to bring some new elements to this genre which is to their credit.
There’s no doubt that there is a demand for this band, and their new album is a clear sign that this is a band still very much in the ascendancy.
They’re playing throughout the UK for the rest of April and May, and I would have no hesitation in saying that if you get chance you should catch them live.
Check out their remaining tour dates here:
You can read our full review of the new album ‘How Many Dreams’ here:
Set list:
How Many Dreams
Olympia
The Glow
Timeless
Sliver
Swao
Tape Deck
Fading Like A Picture
Hello GF
Forever
Delete
Play It Out
Laydown
Encore:
Blown Away
Laced
Fells Like 37
Thursdays
Links:
olly murs
Leeds Arena - 28th April 23
Word & photos - Liam McEvoy
Friday night of a Bank Holiday Weekend in Leeds is the Ideal time for a party and being the absolute showman that he is Olly Murs brought the party and then some to a packed out First Direct Arena.
Touring in support of his latest studio album Marry Me, Olly put on an incredible show that had the crowd dancing from start to finish.
Before he took to the stage, it was down to Scouting for Girls who kicked things off with a quality set warming the crowd up with the style and confidence of a band that are regular headliners themselves.
With their latest album set for release in October the band have their own tour scheduled for November so you’;; have ample opportunity to catch them later in the year.
It was then time for the main man who took to the stage silhouetted at the top of a flight of stairs with his back to the crowd letting the noise crescendo to fever pitch before opening with the title track from his latest album ‘Marry Me’.
He then began to descend the stairs and transitioned smoothly into the Elton John classic ‘I'm Still Standing’. This was followed by a second track from the newest album before diving into the extensive back catalogue.
Olly played a number of his classic hits like ‘You don’t know Love’, Kiss me which transitioned into the Harry Styles mega hit Watermelon Sugar and ‘Thinking of Me’ which saw a cameo from Professor Green on the big screens. It was at this point in the evening that things slowed down and Olly paid an emotional tribute to his late friend Caroline Flack, playing a beautiful cover of the Neil Diamond classic ‘Sweet Caroline’ which was followed by his own track ‘Dear Darlin’.
The Party however began again at this point with some huge tracks including ‘Heart Skips a Beat’ and the Rihanna hit ‘We found Love’. As the name of the tour suggests, he’s getting married this year and in recognition of this he did a mash up of some of the biggest wedding tunes there is including Celebration, YMCA, Blame it on The Boogie, Don’t Stop Believing, Sex on Fire, I Want it That Way and Dancing on The Ceiling. This mash up had the crowd bouncing causing the seats to literally shake.
Olly closed his show with ‘Dance with me tonight’ and left the stage to a deafening noise from the crowd and it wasn’t long before he duly returned and played the final track ‘Troublemaker’ which left crowd ecstatic and wanting more.
Touring in support of his latest album, Olly Murs showed how much of a showman he has become by performing a set full of his own hits as well as a range of other artists huge tracks.
There are a few dates left on the Marry Me tour and if you want to see an artist at the top of their game you really should go and see Olly Murs.
Set List
1. Marry Me/I'm Still Standing
2. Best Night of Your Life
3. You Don’t Know Love
4. Kiss Me/Watermelon Sugar
5. Right Place Right Time
6. I Found Her
7. Thinking Of Me
8. Sweet Caroline
9. Dear Darlin’
10. I Hate You When You're Drunk
11. Heart Skips a Beat
12. We Found Love
13. Wrapped Up
14. Dancing on Cars
15. Celebration / YMCA / Blame It on The Boogie / Don’t Stop Believing / Sex on Fire / I Want It That Way / Dancing On The Ceiling
16. Dance With Me Tonight
Encore
17. Troublemaker
Links:
live at leeds in the park
Temple Newsam - 27th May 23
Word & photos - Liam McEvoy
A gloriously sunny afternoon in Leeds saw the return of one of the best one day music festivals there is. Live At Leeds in The Park brought some of the best bands and artists around to Temple Newsam Park for a day packed with great live music.
First up was James Marriott on the DIY stage. The youtuber turned musician who boasts over two million YouTube subscribers across his various channels delivered an electrifying set that had the crowd bouncing throughout and showed that he is very much a serious talent. Most definitely one to watch for the future.
After this it was time to head over to the main stage to catch Kate Nash deliver a storming set seeing her play a number of her biggest hits including the fan favourite ‘foundations’ which first catapulted her into the spotlight back in 2007.
Heading over to the Rolling Stone Big Top it was a personal highlight The Big Moon. A band that are very much on a meteoric rise The Big Moon played an incredible set to a packed out crowd. Following the release of their second album ‘Here Is Everything’ towards the end of 2022 The Big Moon are a band going from strength to strength and this set showed just how good they are.
Tom Walker was next up on the Main Stage and the singer songwriter performed to a massive crowd with chants of ‘there’s only one Tom Walker’ ringing out. Tom Walker performed a brilliant set that included all of his biggest tracks and had the crown singing back in fine voice.
Everything Everything delivered a top set at the Rolling Stone Big Top that had everyone in the tent dancing from start to finish. Following the release of their latest album ‘Raw Data Feel’ back in 2022 Everything Everything are still riding high and performed a truly killer set.
Another major highlight of the day was the band from Newcastle, Maximo Park. Playing a brilliant set with tracks taken from across their various albums including a number of their biggest tunes like ‘Girls Who Play Guitars’ and ‘Our Velocity’.
The Swedish rock band The Hives were up next an put on a truly storming show really bringing the rock to the Rolling Stone Big Top. The Hives have always had a reputation for putting on incredible live sows and thus did not disappoint. The energy the band brought to the tent was electric and the crowd responded in supreme style.
After what had already been an incredible day of live music there was time for one last band. The headliners Two Door Cinema Club took to the main stage and closed the day out in style. Playing a brilliant set that saw the crowd bouncing from start to finish. It was the perfect way to close out another Live at Leeds in The Park.
Links:
unkown mortal orchestra
Leeds Stylus - 16th June 23
Reviewed by Dave Flerin
For half an hour or so, the scene is perfectly set with a carefully curated collection of the most amazing, obscure psychedelic tunes I’ve probably never heard before, and, sadly, probably won’t hear again; as they disappear forlornly into the night forever.
And, as UMO’s stunningly simple-yet-genius light show kicks in, the band casually emerges stage left out of an eerie, orange smoky light. These boys aren’t rushing for anything or anyone; they’re working to their own rhythm tonight, and we’re genially welcomed onboard the good ship UMO for the next 90 minutes.
This four-piece incarnation of the band dives immediately into the best parts of “V”, interspersed with a clutch of audience faves from their past works, which are all gratefully received.
The harmonies from the gorgeous “V” are faithfully reproduced, sounding that good (are there really only four of them1?) they might as well have set the album on shuffle and mimed, apart from some extended solos that are warmly received by everyone present, without ever feeling too self-indulgent or “prog”.
And that’s most definitely a (very long-winded) compliment for sure! Tonight, it feels like they are every bit as important and brilliant as their more lauded contemporaries, Tame Impala; and the Millennials and Generation Zs who make up the bulk of tonight’s audience are singing along with the spiritual devotion of a congregation in a church.
Tonight, Matthew, I am going to be: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Sid-era Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks in Village Green Preservation Society mode, a psychedelic Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Thundercat, and The Charlatans; all rolled into a big fat one.
Even when Ruben Nielson walks off mid-song, emerges in the midst of a dumfounded audience, and casually strolls unmolested right through them (as they part like the Red Sea), before climbing back on stage; it still feels like UMO are slaves to the songs without ego.
In fact, the subdued lighting keeps them kind of anonymised throughout to the extent that I absolutely could not see any of the band’s faces at all, such was the mood aesthetic created. Apart from a slight two-song lull in the middle reminding us that they are mere mortals; they manage to keep everyone in their collective palm with a remarkable display of artistry and virtuosity.
Witnessing UMO play tonight was almost spiritual, and one of those experiences that you hope will stay fresh in the mind for a long time. They’re a band at their creative peak right now.
Get out and see them if you can.
Links:
the jacksons & sister sledge
Halifax Piece Hall - 24th June 23
Words and photos Dave Flerin
What with great summer weather and the carefree vibe around Halifax this evening, the omens are good for tonight’s turns down at t’ Piece Hall. And what a venue it is! If this were anywhere else in the world, they’d rightly be raving about how incredible it is. Every 55-65 year-old in Yorkshire must be in here tonight, along with their kids.
Sister Sledge are first up and don’t disappoint. There might only be one original sister here, but Debbie’s keeping it in the family by bringing her niece and son along on singing duties.
Their 5-piece band produce a flawless musical backdrop for Debbie et al to put their very capable vocals to. It’s brave to start with your best song, but they are so absolutely fearless and confident tonight that they do just that, and straightaway rip into Lost In Music.
They follow that with a succession of funky classics, including The Greatest Dancer, Thinking of You, and ending with the timeless We Are Family; every single one a crowd pleaser. By the time they finish, they’ve got nothing in the tank, having left absolutely everything out on the stage. For a short time, Debbie, her spangly boots, and glitzy show have made everyone forget about submarine disasters, invasions and everything else that's outside these 4 walls; such is the power of feelgood music and wonderful musicians like this.
Now it’s the turn of The Jacksons, and they too start BIG with the epic sounding Can You Feel It, lifted even further by background projections of their memorable promo of this track from back in the day. Like the sisters, Tito, Marlon and Jackie also have younger family members in tow; and it’s obvious they have showbiz in the blood.
You’d expect the band to be tight as hell (they are), you’d expect The Jacksons to still sing great (they do), and you’d be expecting some slick dance moves (present, sir!) on a night like this; and we get them all. But it’s not all without some teething problems… Issues with the PA system mean Marlon’s not happy with the sound, and everything stops for about 5 minutes until they resume again.
Never mind, people are still happy enough that they’re funky-walking to the loo queues, and for beer. On resumption, ABC and I Want You Back are casually lumped together, which feels like a crime, seeing as they’re big crowd-pleasers and better than the slew of more obscure funky tunes which are part of a mid-set lull.
However, they end strongly with Never Can Say Goodbye and I'll Be There, finally closing with Shake Your Body Down, resplendent with Michael-style "OOH!''s; and everyone’s all funked-out at the same time. Our funks are put back into their boxes until required again, and we all stagger off into the Halifax night, smiling stupidly.
This was the night a little bit of stardust was sprinkled on Halifax in the form of some pure, old-school entertainment, and the oldies proved they still had it.
Links:
