Memento Vivere sees Social Youth Cult set out their stall with 14 minutes of distorted gothic post punk.
Across five tracks, the group impresses with tight and well-thought-out songs, which have allowed them to build their name within the North East music scene. Opener Temporary Love sets the scene nicely, highlighting vocalist Shaun Greer’s baritone vocals, which combine nicely with the chorus laden guitar lines. By the time the song hits the chorus, Greer’s vocals hit full croon over a bed of beautifully distorted guitars.
The amazing resonant vocal style is something that continues across the EP, with Greer’s vocals, sounding like a twisted mix of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis and Morrissey (without the problematic connotations). This helps immediately set the dark and moody tone of the record.
You Do It To You has an almost wall-of-sound approach at times with guitars, drums, and bass forming a dark, ominous wall in the chorus. Leaving no decibel untouched, the track shows the band’s diversity and ability to set various different atmospheres with their instrumentation. The guitar solo on the track had echos of Joy Division with its starkness within the mix.
This gives way to Moonlight’s driving bass and guitar lines with verses that feel inspired by groups such as The Killing Joke. The track also features a gorgeous guitar solo illustrating the playing abilities of guitarist Holly Moore and adding a beautiful touch to Moonlight.
The opening of Hollow sees the guitar crash in over the bass line like a wave against a pier upping the energy of the EP. As the chorus hits, Greer bellows, “hollow me vacant you,” continuing the melachonic, heavy tone of the song.
Gone With The Beast concludes the EP by reflecting upon toxic masculinity. Greer’s vocals are almost chant-like in the chorus and continue to gain intensity as the track continues, bringing the EP to a passionate conclusion.
Overall, this debut EP from Social Youth Cult shows promising signs for the future, giving the listener all they could possibly want from a goth group with some excellent post-punk tinged tracks. It is clear why the group is gaining attention in the North East music scene and are very much ones to watch as they continue their musical journey.
The debut LP from The Spy From Balzan sees the musical project finally complete its first chapter to wonderful effect.
Combining the dreamy and reverb-heavy production that has blessed their previous singles, The Spy From Balzan features seven excellent tracks influenced by various genres and moods.
Opener “This Way Up” begins with a Spanish-esque guitar opening that runs through the track like a scenic river through a gorgeous valley. These then collide into a trap-style beat, which opens up the track, allowing the vocals to take centre stage.
This is followed by the single “Without Warning” which I have previously reviewed (you can read here). In the context of the album, the track is only strengthened, adding to the LP’s sonic palette.
Next is “Cheese Dreams” which opens with a dreamy guitar line washed in reverb. The track allows you to sink into its production, especially when it reaches its chorus, which drags you further into its sonic landscape. The instrumental on the track shimmers and also features a lovely guitar solo that cuts through the dreamlike atmosphere to excellent effect.
“Guillotine” features a melodic chorus that adds a different element to the LP, with verses laden with guitar solos and intricate synth beds. This continues to build upon the consistent instrumentation and production that weaves the album together into its own unique world.
“Imagine That” adds to the sunny atmosphere. Opening with a catchy guitar line, the song revolves around this line, bringing a catchy indie vibe. The vocals reminded me a lot of The Voidz with their heavily autotuned and trippy effect, bringing that extra layer to the track.
This leads to the LP’s magnum opus, “Northern Rail,” which sounds like The Drums run through a psychedelic filter. The effect is excellent, showcasing the range of different influences injected into this project. The indie pop sensibilities are clear to see, with a gorgeous upbeat and catchy chorus, which I adored.
The LP ends with “Only Been Me” featuring Slobo, the track gently winds down the album with an RnB-influenced finale and gorgeous synth bass work. The chilled production naturally concludes the sonic journey which the LP takes you on.
Overall, The Spy From Balan has merged various influences together to excellent effect, producing a cohesive album with a thoughtfully curated sonic palette that takes the listener on a journey through its luscious instrumentation and personal lyrics.
Newcastle’s Goodsprings return with ‘Horrors’, a track that fuses the raw energy of punk with the rhythmic soul of ska, delivering a powerful political message.
The track bubbles with anger, starting with an opening guitar line immediately hitting you with high energy. This raucous guitar line is over a bed of ska inspired organ reminiscent of bands like The Specials.
However, those expecting a traditional ska track in the style of Madness will be surprised. While the influence from ska bands is present, the group also draws from various other genres such as classic rock and punk, featuring complex, heavy guitar lines and political spoken lyrics, which see the band confronting apathy, racism and austerity and the impact it has had on Britain.
The driving drum beat powers the track, maintaining the punk energy and moving away from traditional ska beats, resulting in a song filled with power and intensity.
The track also features an excellent brass section with the group welcoming in new collaborators with Lucy McCartan on trumpet and Natalie Ziklova on keys which brings the traditional fun of a ska track.
Overall, the track injects a variety of different influences into the ska genre to good effect. You can check out Horrors on 8th June on SoundCloud and follow the band on Instagram here.
Saturday, May 18th, 2024 saw Marrapalooza return to a sun drenched Ouseburn as five familiar haunts played host to a day of DIY music.
The festival, which started in 2023, is a celebration of DIY music, with a range of alternative bands from across the country descending on Ouseburn for a day of live music.
My day started at Cobalt Studios, where I saw Thursday Club, kicking off a great day of live music with a great performance. Combining post punk and hardcore influences, the group raced through an excellent set, which got people on side straight away, setting the tone for the day.
Thursday Club performing at Cobalt Studios
After taking some time out to enjoy the sunshine, I made my way up the hill to Little Buildings to catch local lads, The Hollows. Clad in immaculate suits, the group somehow managed to deliver an energetic punk set in the stifling heat.
The heavy distortion on the bass on some of the tracks was a nice change of pace, bringing a different flavour to the gig, which allowed them to stand out.
The Hollows performing at Little Buildings
Next to The Cluny, where Straight Girl provided another electrifying set of riotous dance music. I first saw Straight Girl when they supported Dream Wife on their 2022 tour and was treated to one of the best shows I’ve seen from a support artist. It meant that expectations were high and they did not disappoint, showing once again that they are a natural born performer, dragging the audience along with them.
Despite only having a laptop and a few vocal pedals, Straight Girl lit up the stage, bringing a chaotic and charming energy which was infectious. Their set, backed by dark and distorted dance beats, included a few new tracks that sounded great and illustrated that they have evolved even further during their time away. If you get the chance, make sure to check them out.
Next up were Mumbles from Manchester at Little Buildings again. Before seeing them, I didn’t know much about the band. However, they completely won me around with a sensational set of sprawling songs.
The amount of talent which the group possesses is scary, with colourful guitar parts which were absolutely ludicrous at times. These decorated lavish and grand arrangements, which demonstrated the group’s talent for songwriting.
They are very much Manchester’s answer to London’s Windmill scene with creativity oozing out of every line they write.
I then took a walk down the winding stream and under the bridge to Tyne Bar to catch Model Village which provided a completely different vibe in the cleared out beer garden of the famous pub.
With a set of infectious indie pop cuts, powered by synth lines, they got the crowd up and dancing, and provided a soundtrack to the hundred or so nights out, unfolding under the arch.
Other Half performing at The Cumberland Arms
I then took a hike up to The Cumberland Arms perched atop of Ouseburn’s highest reaches for Norwich’s Other Half. This is the second time I’ve caught the group at this venue with both occasions showing the group in fine form.
Fresh from flooding their Travelodge room, the group provided fun, laughs and most importantly an amazing performance with enough distortion to blow your eardrums back down the hill.
Marrapalooza and events like these are incredibly important, with a packed bill of DIY bands powering a DIY festival, which is run for a love of music, rather than a love of profit. They’re always well worth your time, and I had an amazing day out parading around Ouseburn in the sunshine, seeing amazing bands many of which I hadn’t heard before.
Whilst providing culture to the region, events like this are so important to providing a platform for up and coming musicians. The organisers of the event even took a hit to provide Ouseburn with a top class day of music, with the festival ending the day with a £2,000 deficit due to the organisers trying to keep costs down for festival goers.
That’s why it’s so important to support live music events such as this. There is currently a GoFundMe to try and make this a trilogy of events in 2025, which I will leave a link to here and if you get the chance to support an event such as this, make sure you do, you won’t regret it.
Black Surf’s “Make Friends With Hell” is a fun, surf rock tinged EP. Taking influence from the likes of Weezer, this four track EP takes gorgeous melodies and drenches them in distortion to amazing results.
The EP explodes into life with “Lights Out” with its Weezeresic intro and power pop leanings. The riffs on the track rival the Burj Khalifa for size, towering over the track and leaving no decibel behind. This wall of sound approach is consistent throughout the EP, with the band wearing their 90’s rock influences as a badge of pride.
The vocals add a touch of emo angst to the opener, matching the emotive nature of the guitars which lay below them.
“Lights Out” gives away to “Vultures” with its heavily distorted intro. The track keeps the high energy up with its driving drum track, with them especially taking a beating on the chorus, creating a beautiful cacophony of noise.
“Oh, Poor Me” begins with a huge wall of guitars, very much reminiscent of bands such as Joyce Manor.
The track appears to take influence from various groups, with the quiet loud nature of the verses and choruses reminiscent of groups such as Nirvana and Pixies, and vocals on the chorus channelling Billy Corgan with their grungey quality.
The light sprinkling of Moog-esic synthesisers on the track adds to that 90s rock vibe and adds a nice contrast to the guitars in a similar fashion to early Rentals songs. As time passes, the track sinks further and further into its sludgey sound to excellent effect, submerging the listener in its crunch.
Closing with “Baby Blue Washburn”, Black Surf takes 60s surf rock and sends it over a wave of distortion. The sweet melodies and bass-led verses smash into massive crunching choruses, which are joyful to the ears and bring the EP to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this EP. The group’s talent for songwriting shines through these four tracks, which are both sweet and sour at the same time. If you’re a fan of groups like Weezer and Joyce Manor, you’ll love this EP. You can hear it here.
Monte Grisa’s Resurrection EP showcases the Darlington based post punk band at their very best with four meticulously crafted tracks that encapsulate their dark and moody sound.
The EP opens with “A Confession” driven by dark ominous synths reminiscent of groups such as Joy Division during their darker moments. The lyrics repeat a self-deprecating mantra, acting as a nice metaphor for the struggles of having low self esteem and setting the brooding tone for the rest of the record.
Next “Deep” begins with a sharp drum machine section that builds anticipation. The synths enter as the song progresses, accompanied by an ethereal chorus of backing vocals, which act as unheavenly choir enhancing the gothic atmosphere. The track breaks down into an engaging guitar riff, which keeps the listener on the edge of their seat with it’s interesting structure.
The third track “Regression” discusses the declining standards of society, with frontman Josh Cowey expressing his shame and apathy towards it to excellent effect with an introspective set of lyrics.
The excellent “Shotgun” ends the EP with a driving rhythm section and Cowey’s passionate baritone vocals, which bring a beautifully dark energy to the song. The emotion in the vocal delivery, paired with the descending guitar line, creates a compelling finale.
Overall, this EP is an excellent offering and should not be missed if you’re a fan of dark and gothic post punk with deep meaningful lyrics and well thought out, clever song writing which makes the EP well worth a listen. You can check it out here.
Freshly returned from their transatlantic odyssey, The Peevie Wonders are ready with new music and big plans for the future.
After a slew of shows in Austin, Texas, the group is back on home soil and ready to continue to build the hype, which has attracted the attention of the likes of BBC Radio One.
I caught up with frontman Mark Wilson to talk about their amazing experiences in the USA, as well as their exciting new track “Big Eczema Energy”, which features a solo from fellow North Shields resident Sam Fender, as well as production from Fender’s bandmates, Joe Atkinson and Dean Thompson.
The track showcases all that is good from the band, bringing big energy and unique lyrics. You can check it out here.
Bringing humour and terrific post punk energy, the track combines the wit and surrealism of bands such as FEET with the infectious energy of groups such as Shame. This addition to the growing catalogue of excellent singles released by the North Shields’ band so far further solidifies their status as ones to watch.
Sharing his thoughts about the new single Big Eczema Energy as well as working with Fender, Thompson and Atkinson, frontman Mark Wilson stated this: “This was the most fun I’ve ever had recording music. They are all good friends of mine, and it was class seeing professional musicians chipping in with writing and production on Big Eczema Energy.
They really brought it to life and helped us out beyond our expectations. It was a real North Shields collaboration. Sam’s solo was pretty much an improvisation, and if you haven’t heard it already, I would have a listen and prepare for a face melting rock n roll experience.”
The track builds upon the group’s influences, which can be heard throughout the group’s music, which mixes excellently crafted tunes with comedic lyrics often about the banality of everyday life. Past targets include the big shop at Morrisons, indie boys and gym lads, with the group delivering a unique twist on post punk.
I asked frontman Mark Wilson, about who and what inspired their uniquely brilliant music:
“Lyrically, artists like Johnny Cash, Tenacious D and John Cooper Clarke have been huge influences in the way they can add humour and make people laugh with the words they choose.
As a young boy, I was obsessed with Spike Milligan’s poetry, it’s so daft and surreal yet the stories spark something inside me that inspires me to this day to write something amusing. I love rough and raw music and The Fall are massively inspiring in how they break rules and the recordings can sound a bit shoddy and home made.
My music taste can only be described as Dad Rock, which isn’t really the sound that I have gone for, but if you break our music down the classical rock elements are all there, hidden beneath noisy guitar riffs and ranty vocals.”
These are all things which can be heard from what the group has put out so far. Since their formation in 2020, the band has gone from strength to strength. I asked Mark Wilson about what made them start The Peevie Wonders:
“I had COVID during the pandemic, and being locked in my room. I started messing around with some guitar ideas, which then progressed into songs. This was the first time I’d ever had vocals on a track, which was a weird experience whilst I was trying to find my voice. I’m still looking!
I asked Ben, who is my best pal, to get involved and help with some lead guitar. Before I knew it, we were in a rehearsal room playing these songs that were created during my self isolation.
To start with, we had my computer plugged into the PA, which had backing track drums and bass. The hardest part was having to play perfectly in time, and then pause the track at the end of the song.
The natural progression was to get some real humans to join the band. This is where Ollie and Joe were introduced. We practised quite regularly and I was adding new songs in for us to play. Our first gig was in Sunderland at The Independent, we played 5 songs and it was a lot of fun.
The band was started as a bit of a joke, the nature of the songs shows that. The first track I wrote was about people who don’t put butter on their bread when making a sandwich… The lyrical nature has only got more and more ridiculous as the band has aged and this won’t be changing anytime soon.
I have tried and failed to write about more traditional things such as love and relationships but that doesn’t ever come into fruition. I really struggle with that sort of stuff so I may as well write about the things that I have observed and find funny, it’s all I can do really.
I had never expected the music to take us to places such as Texas or BBC Maida Vale studios, and it still blows my mind as to how we have even been invited to have such amazing experiences. It hasn’t been easy and a lot of work has gone into this, but as long as it remains fun and exciting, I want to keep progressing and see what else us idiots can get up to.”
The Peevie Wonders’ unique approach led them this year to be invited to play SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. The group participated in the boycott due to the sponsorship of the festival, however still managed to play some unofficial shows in venues around the city, who supported bands participating in the protest:
“CoCoTexas is absolutely mental, everything is bigger and worse for your health, which for a week was very nice to indulge in. I was crying out for some broccoli by the end of the trip. The reception was great, and we decided to keep the set pretty much the same as our home shows.
We took the dad joke book and the shopping scanner, which both went down a storm. We were playing to a brand new audience every gig so it was integral that we showed off what we are all about and didn’t hold back on any of the performances.
My advice to anyone going over there and playing their music would be to stay true to yourself. People will either love it or hate it, that’s the nature of the game, so you may as well remain unchanged and have fun with it.
After playing Big Eczema Energy one day, I had a member of the audience pull me aside after the show. They explained that they had been a dermatologist for 20 years in Texas, and we had a lovely conversation about moisturiser and steroid creams. That was fun.”
The group is keen to take advantage of the momentum, they have gained from their US experience. Over the course of the past few years, the band has attracted the attention of BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music as well as a handful of prominent support slots, I wanted to know what the future held for the band:
“We have our debut EP titled “Big Eczema Energy”, which will be 4 and a half songs. I think… That will be a huge box ticked for me, as this was one of my goals at the start of The Peevie Wonders.
The EP has very similar sounding songs on it which I have been very keen to do with very rocky and energetic sounding music, which will hopefully make for a body of work that will soundtrack your morning runs or drive to McDonalds on a Sunday morning.
I also have a few unfinished tracks which I am working on. I really want to write a 7 minute ballad which I’m hoping to sit down and finish, which will probably never see the light of day and is more for my own entertainment. We will see what happens with that.”
In addition to an upcoming EP the group have some exciting gigs in the pipe line:
“We are playing A Stone’s Throw Festival on the 25th May in my hometown of North Shields, and have a few more gigs that we can’t talk about yet. With our debut EP planned for early summer, we will of course be gigging to celebrate that around the North East.”
With all that to look forward to, you can check out The Peevie Wonders’ Instagram here, as well as their new single “Big Eczema Energy” here.
On Saturday night, 15th March 2023, The Bunker in Sunderland played host to an exciting lineup of bands across various genres, treating the audience to a memorable night of local live music.
Headlined by post punk group The Black Rain, the night showcased just some of the great talent, that the region has to offer.
Adastra kicked off the night with a mix of originals and impressive covers, delivering them with high energy and confidence. From stellar covers of the likes of All Time Low and Foo Fighters to an incredible rocked up rendition of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe, the group brought electrifying grunge energy to the evening.
Their Spice Girls cover showcased the remarkable synergy within the band, bringing vibrant energy and personality to their set.
The stage chatter between band members highlighted their tight-knit camaraderie, enhancing the overall performance. You can catch them at the The Independent in Sunderland on May 4th at Roulette Fest or at Downcast Studios later that month.
Next on the bill were Breakaway-NE, an indie rock three-piece hailing from Newcastle, who delivered a set filled with bluesy originals.
Featuring stunning guitar work, their set featured recent singles “Whirlpools” and “Secrets” amongst other unreleased tunes such as “Beesting”. The aforementioned track illustrated the bands ability to construct a catchy melody. Having only heard the song once, the chorus is still going around my head days later, which is always a good sign.
The band’s versatility was evident as they seamlessly transitioned between songs, maintaining interest throughout. Notably, the intriguing guitar effects in “Secrets” added a unique touch, while other tracks evoked bands like The Police in their sparse soundscapes and more bass-driven moments. Overall, it was an enjoyable and diverse set from a group of phenomenal musicians.
Breakaway-NE in performance at The Bunker, Sunderland
Next up were Even The Tides, who delivered an amazing set of indie bangers drenched in heart, chorus and reverb. Their set fizzed with energy with incredible guitar lines and some really excellent tunes which came in quick succession.
The group’s sound is akin to a blend of Muse and Sam Fender, characterised by a reverb heavy melodic core complemented with intricate, crunchy riffs. The result was a truly excellent show, the only shame was it wasn’t longer.
The band’s new single No Regrets released the night before went down a treat with the audience adding to the group’s catchy catalogue.
Make sure to check out the band who are playing a number of North East dates over the next couple of months including a show with Dual Rouge on the 20th of April at The Globe in Newcastle.
Next up was the headliner The Black Rain, who were playing their first show at the rehearsal space, where they have honed their craft. The Bunker is a charming rehearsal space and venue in Sunderland, which is well worth checking out if you’re a local band from the area and haven’t somehow not already heard of it. The Black Rain are one of its numerous alumni so where better to get started.
The Black Rain in action live at The Bunker, Sunderland
To say this was their first gig is insane. The band seemed like a group who had gigged together for years delivering their set with energy and precision, which many groups take years to perfect.
The band’s post punk and goth sound is reminiscent of groups such as Joy Division, with baritone vocals and driving riffs. However, there is also a darker element to the group with a definite influence coming from the more heavier The Killing Joke creating a moody distorted atmosphere to the music.
Their set flew by with a whirlwind trip through the group’s excellent catalogue. Tracks, like “Dutch Dreams” highlighting the their ability to take their influences and make something new with them.
Make sure to check the band out on Instagram where they have some preview of some of their tracks.
Their set closed out an incredible night of live music, which traversed various genres, each delivered excellently. I look forward to seeing each one of these bands later down the line.
The North East is known for many things, from its renowned football teams to its rich industrial heritage yet, one aspect often overlooked is its breathtaking coastline. From the Northumberland Coast down to Victorian Pier at Saltburn, the region is home to spectacular beaches and picturesque towns. Nowhere perhaps captures this better than the winding coastline of which Tynemouth and Whitley Bay sits upon.
Where better a location then to set up a music festival which showcases a plethora of local talent as well as some stars from further afield. In 2022, A Stone’s Throw Festival did just that with a bill featuring the likes of Heidi Curtis, Sam Tompkins and Lauran Hibberd.
The festival, a travelling roadshow down the North Tyneside coastline, transformed coffee shops, CBD dispensaries, and warehouses into bustling arenas, transporting festival-goers by bus from venue to venue accompanied by a brass band to add to the merriment.
A Stone’s Throw is returning this May, headlined by the indie mainstays Sundara Karma, backed up by incredible acts such as Pip Blom, Bilk and Opus Kink, as well as an abundance of North East musical talent.
I caught up with festival founder Ant Thompson to discuss plans for this year’s event and what will be different with this year’s exciting lineup. “We were incredibly proud to deliver the event in 2022 but as you can imagine, we learned a lot of valuable lessons which have influenced us in curating a bigger line up and a refined experience!”
Part of this expansion includes an opening night headlined by indie legends White Lies, which Thompson promises will get the celebrations started early, adding to the scope of the ambition of this year’s event.
Part of the event’s unique nature is its travelling element, with a bus service allowing festival-goers to get from venue to venue at ease. But just how does the bus service work for festival-goers?
“We work closely with the local council to establish an appropriate route with perfectly placed bus stops near venues.
The bus is exclusively for wristband holders and it makes getting around the festival an absolute breeze!
Last time out we even surprised the local area by placing bands on top of the bus as it travelled through the villages. The FOMO was clear!”
This is far from the only interesting feature of the festival. The unique location of this event brings something different to the table, with a number of establishments opening their doors to live music for the first time, bringing a new fresh twist to the multi-venue festival idea.
“We use a lot of spaces which typically don’t operate as fully functioning music venues. For instance, Karma Coast is a CBD dispensary by day, Tynemouth CIU is a trusty social club for local workers and The Watch House Museum is a functioning museum dedicated to the history of the local life brigade. These 3 venues in particular add a special unique selling point to the event and we look forward to seeing people visiting them throughout the day,” states Thompson.
“We’re not claiming the multi-venue idea by any stretch! There’s plenty of amazing multi-venue festivals across the country who certainly inspired us. That said, the initial idea came when walking along the coast during Covid. I was reminded how many amazing venues there are that people might not be aware of. That paired with how idyllic the area is, we thought it made perfect sense to give it a go! “
With such a stunning back drop, all A Stone’s Throw needs is some incredible music to fill their quirky, unique venues and that the festival has in spades with a raft of local talent taking to the Newcastle coast.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have such a flourishing batch of local talent participating in this year’s event.” stated Ant Thompson highlighting the incredible Finn Forster, The Peevie Wonders, Frankie Archer and Vice Killer as his personal ones to watch.
But perhaps the most important thing for an event such as this is the incredible chance it gives up and coming local musicians to shine and participate in front of big crowds. This is something that festival founder Ant Thompson has worked hard to achieve: “We work closely with the likes of We Make Culture to ensure there’s opportunities for the young musicians to participate in the festival.
This is often the first large scale event the musicians have been a part of and it’s something we plan to continue year on year.”
This, along with the incredible location and quirky venues, certainly makes this event one to watch this festival season.
A Stone’s Throw Festival will take place on May 25th 2024 across various venues across the Newcastle Coast (Tynemouth and North Shields). Tickets are on sale now here.
Yard Act lit up Northumbria University on Sunday night (17/03/2024) with aperformance that showcased why they are one of the UK’s hottest bands.
Across a 16 track set, the group showed just why they are building a reputation as one of the UK’s best live bands.
But first was support from New York’s Gustaf, who delivered a riveting set infused with post punk energy whipping up the crowd perfectly.
Gustaf supporting Yard Act @ Northumbria SU
The group brought the crowd with them across their excellent set at one point, allowing a lucky audience member to surf across the first few rows of the crowd, demonstrating the amazing reception they got from the room. Their driving bass riffs brought the energy warming the crowd up nicely for Yard Act.
After that it was time for Yard Act. The Leeds based group have built up an impressive catalogue across their two albums with 2022’s post-punk leaning debut “The Overload” and their recently released new album “Where’s My Utopia” bringing them much acclaim.
The group opened their set with “An Illusion” which also opens their sophomore album. The song illustrates the band’s development over the years showing a different side to their debut.
This was followed by “Dead Horse” from their debut album with its pulsating baselines and riffs which powered the crowd all evening.
“When The Laughter Stops” and “We Make Hits” followed, which saw the band embrace a theatrical element to their show with dance routines from the amazing Lauren Fitzpatrick and Daisy Smith adding an excellent element to the rest of the evening.
Many bands are happy to just turn up and play the hits (no pun intended) and whilst there is nothing wrong with this, it’s nice to see a band embrace something which is not the norm especially in the post punk/indie scene, making a welcome change.
Adding to the fun was EP roulette, which mixed in some variety show fun to the mix with a huge spinning wheel arriving on stage to pick the next track.
It also introduced the world to Huey, who unfortunately missed out on his chosen track, “Dark Days”. Instead, we got a rip-roaring rendition of “Fixer Upper”, a personal favourite (sorry Huey).
This sort of thing is what makes Yard Act’s shows so special bringing the audience along for the ride and building a connection with them whilst putting on an exciting and unpredictable live show.
“Fixer Upper” was followed by the fast-paced “Witness (Can I Get A?)” and new track “Down By The Stream” which showcases Smith’s impressive lyricism and eye for storytelling.
This is something which shines through throughout the live show, with his highly impressive delivery which could almost certainly give some rappers a run for their money with his impressive flow and adaptability to the ebbs and flows of the live show, which was a joy to behold.
I also wanted to give a shout-out to the impressive guitar work of Sam Shipstone who once again illustrated what a fantastic player he is throughout the show.
As the show reached its crescendo, it became evidently clear that Yard Act truly do “make hits” (sorry). The band ripped through “Dream Job”, “Payday” and “The Overload” showing just how their catalogue is only strengthening with each release.
The band then finished with the closer from their sophomore “A Vineyard for the North” to much applause and love from the crowd, which was recuperated by the group.
The magnificent “100% Endurance” opened the encore before Gustaf joined the band for a dance to “The Trench Coat Museum” which ended the evening on a high.
Overall, this was an excellent show by one of the UK’s finest bands with an excellent support slot from Gustaf. I eagerly await both band’s return to the North East.
Humbug North East 