black midi are an interesting beast, a mix of post punk, experimental rock and math rock. The band had an extremely successful 2019 breaking into the Top 40 in the album charts as well as releasing a critically acclaimed album which featured in many of the end of the year lists.
The album is filled with fast-paced, high energy tunes which translates well into the chaotic live show which midi present.
This energy was transported to the room which was packed to the point of it being almost uncomfortable.
However, this worked in black midi’s favour, with the crowd serving up some of the biggest mosh pits I’ve seen.
Consistently, people were dredging over to the small bar at the side of the venue for water dripping in sweat looking as though they’d been dropped into the Tyne.
The ability to produce this reaction within a crowd is testament to midi’s live show after what seemed an eternity of omnious, choral singing which transported the venue into some sort of bizarre gothic cathedral before the band appeared.
What perhaps is unique about black midi is their approach to playing live not simply wanting to reproduce their album to an audience and instead trying to make something new and fresh.
black midi @ The Riverside – 21/02/2020 – Joseph Jordan
This is highlighted in their set which only featured six songs from their debut LP amongst a twelve song set.
These six songs went down well with a mosh pit forming which went all the way back to the entrance.
The band sound spectacular live, the guitar work was particularly impressive with complex riffs completed with aplomb in a beautiful way displaying the group’s talent.
A particular highlight was a cover of The Police’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ which was unexpected to say the least.
However, this further displays the band’s talent of taking songs from artists, such as FONTAINES DC in the past, and making them their own which was almost certainly the case with this cover.
If you get the chance to see black midi take it up they are like nothing you’ll ever see.
In terms of spectacle I have never seen anything like The 1975’s live show a combination of clever visuals and impressive imagery the performance is all encompassing and can only truly be appreciated live.
The show is very much an extension of the band, progressive and showy and ultimately the pretty visuals match the pretty synth-pop which the band have perfected since the release of debut EP, Facedown in 2012.
However, to dismiss The 1975 as being simply one thing would be to do them a discredit which was proven through their opening track, People which shows the bands confidence and competence in making music.
Love Me – Joseph Jordan
The song opened the live show in raucous fashion with the lyrics from the band’s frontman, Matty Healyreflecting the feelings of many young people regarding the state of the world and the music encompassing those feelings.
The aggressive, distorted guitars did not get lost within the echoey arena with the yellow visuals and the sirens reflecting the warnings which are made within the songs lyrics.
This combined well with one of the band’s biggest hits ‘Sex’ which always goes down well live with the band dipping into indie rock and finishing the song with a big finish splashing the words ‘Rock and Roll is Dead God Bless The 1975’ across their jumbo screens, a huge statement in which to open a show
The rock energy of ‘Sex’ contrasted greatly with their third track ‘TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME’ from the band’s critically acclaimed third album which acts as a celebration of pop music with the catchy hook of the song and pulsating pianos which would not be out of place on a top 10 hit.
The track went down well in the arena with the band using the visuals of their set to their advantage with a crawling Star Wars-esic title crawl to the song blending perfectly with the opening of the single.
The 1975 then progressed to their most recent single the ‘Me and You Together Song’ which sees the band dip into their past to provide a cute love song which sounds a bit like early noughties pop punk band Busted in all the right ways.
The 1975 @ Utilita Arena – 16/02/2020
The introduction of front-man Matty Healy’s now famous treadmill and hat combo during ‘Sincerity is Scary’ went down with screams from adoring fans with the forementioned treadmill providing some excellent visuals in front of the moving street from the video.
Through it did cause an uncomfortable/funny moment when the hat was thrown back from the crowd which was quite bizarre.
The next song ‘It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)’ is the best song the eighties never got. You get the feeling if the single had came out in 1985 it could have been a number one with the perfect pop hook to go with an amazing riff which combines reverb, chorus and distortion to create that typical eighties guitar sound.
The song always goes down well live especially with the Jaiy twins providing an amazing onstage performance to compliment the song’s danceable quality.
This progressed into new unreleased song ‘If You’re Too Shy Let Me Know’ which had an amazing operatic beginning to the track which I hope will be included in the album version. The track begins with some very 1975ey (I know it’s not a word) guitars in the intro. Ironically this song sounds like it could be a sequel to ‘It’s Not Living’.
Credit to Andy Luckers – If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) – The 1975
The chorus of the song sounds like the eighties exploding however could not come from any other band than The 1975 who have perfected their craft in making addictive pop songs. Overall, the song went down well with the crowd despite it not having been released with the band adding another set of cool visual in the shape of old timey TV’s which littered the back screen.
The band continued with 2015’s ‘Love Me’ which still sounds great today featuring some of the band’s best lyrics revolving around narcissism and fame.
The group took it down a notch with ‘I Couldn’t Be More In Love’ sparking lighters and phone lights to go up around the arena to the Michael Jackson-esic track.
The band then played another new song ‘Guys’ which was written about the group by frontman Matty. The song comes off as a love-note not just to the group but to the band’s fans as well who are amongst the most loyal in music.
The song is very meta and could come across as a little wanky to those who aren’t as invested in the band however the song is cute and personal if any band can get away with it, it’s The 1975.
‘Robbers’ followed which is a fan’s favourite evident due to the reaction in the arena.
The song is perhaps too over-dramatic but in the heighten emotional landscape which is an arena gig this works for the song.
This beautifully faded into ‘fallingforyou’ a beautifully constructed love song which packed just as big a punch as ‘Robbers’ did.
Milk – The 1975 – Joseph Jordan
The mood was lifted as the band went into ‘Milk’ which shows the band can do indie if they wanted to. The track is a short burst of energy which was much needed after a slow section of the show.
‘Lostmyhead’ on paper seems a baffling choice to do live when band don’t play ‘She’s American’, ‘Girls’ or ‘Settle Down’ some of the groups most popular cuts.
However, once you see it live you realize how wrong you were. The song featured some of the best visuals of the night featuring Matty Healy melting into the jumbo screens. It is the most impressive thing I’ve seen at a gig from a technological standpoint.
October’s ‘Frail State of Mind’ followed, an excellent song showing how the band can mix genres with ease with garage beat adding to the night time aesthetic to the song.
The song tackles social anxiety in an amazing way in the lyrics showing just how the band can tackle issues in society. The song translated well live with the frantic visuals on the jumbo screens reflecting chaotic nature of the song.
The social commentary continued with ‘I Like America & America Likes Me’ confronting gun culture in the United States as well as the state of the modern world with the band bringing the energy to the arena as the screens projected various images onto the backdrop creating a powerful moment.
The pink box then descended for perhaps the band’s most famous song ‘Somebody Else’ which went down well with the crowd.
The band then finished for the encore with ‘I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)’ which sees the band dipping their toes into Britpop with a dramatic cinematic feel to the track, making this the perfect ending.
During the encore, the group played their collaboration with Greta Thunberg in full which provided a thought provoking moment despite many in crowd playing up which is to be expected at an arena show.
The Greta Moment – Joseph Jordan
This went perfectly into ‘Love It If We Made It’ which carried on many of those themes.
The 1975 then swapped out ‘Paris’ for ‘Medicine’ in a slot which looks like it will change nightly. The song worked incredibly well and I didn’t mind the swap despite me not being a fan of different setlists every night.
However, for those who are attending multiple dates this will reward them for their loyalty which I suppose is nice for them.
The crowd went to new levels for ‘Chocolate’ where I was in the middle of standing overall I felt the atmosphere where I was seemed lacking at periods however it did pick up for the encore.
‘Give Yourself A Try’ and ‘The Sound’ really did go off and it was an amazing feeling to see the entire arena bouncing.
The 1975 continue to prove themselves as innovators pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a band to do at a concert as well as providing a stellar setlist.
Glastonbury couldn’t do much better than to get them as their third headliner.
SPINN rocked the Riverside on Wednesday night with a lively show in front of a soaked set of fans.
However, it didn’t take long for the band to warm up their fans, performing songs from their latest self titled LP.
Immediately upon watching the band it is clear to see the love and devotion shown towards the group from their fans.
SPINN @ The Riverside – 27-11-19
This was a mutual love, however, with frontman Johnny Quinn giving a shoutout to fans at the front who had SPINN tattoos.
Quinn himself, as well as the rest of the band, put on quite the show smashing home various songs with a confidence and swagger.
It is this which is refreshing about SPINN, in a genre filled with wannabe hardmen, they refuse to buy into that.
Instead treating their fans to beautifully crafted indie pop with dashes of shoegaze thrown in for good measure without the laughable macho bullshit which has become rather tiresome.
Quinn on stage is very reminiscent of a Matty Healy or Morrissey just without all the far right tendancies and racism (not Matty).
To watch him is fun and it’s clear that he is having just as an amazing time as the audience is.
Whilst SPINN don’t reinvent the wheel they certainly do put on a great show. Make sure to check them out if you get the chance.
Sports Team @ The Riverside – 25/11/2019 – Joseph Jordan
I’ve seen some gigs this year but Sports Team on Monday night was right up there maybe even the best I’ve seen over this long, long year.
It’s incredible to think that a band without an album out yet managed to sell out the Riverside, the third-largest music venue in the city, but that is a testament to the music that the London based band produce.
Since the release of their 2017 debut single Stanton the band has only grown in stature regularly being found on ones to watch lists.
The fast-paced indie tunes matched with the genius lyrics of which stick in your mind from the first listen does prove that you can go far as long as you have the music.
It is all this which makes their rising status so much more believable. However, Sports Team isn’t just a band which produces excellent music but can also bring it to their live shows as well.
The band got everything right on Wednesday night bringing their unique approach to indie to the Toon.
Alex Rice – Just Chilling – photo by Andrea Navarro as well as the featured image
Visually, the flower-laden set and lights show are welcome but nothing out of the ordinary, where the band excels is their own personal performance from Ben Mack masterclass on the keyboards which is as unique as anyone.
But where Sports Team really excels as a live band can be found in their frontman, Alex Rice.
Rice is perhaps the finest up and coming frontman I’ve seen delivering the energy needed to propel these amazing songs into the stratosphere.
Whether it climbing speaker stack, crowd surfing or good old incomprehensible gestures to those watching him. He truly is mesmerizing to watch.
Speaking to people outside the gig it’s clear that fans agree with many displaying their love with vivid sexual imagery.
Whilst the gig was amazing, there was some unsavoury scenes whilst the crowd, for the most part, were incredible, one punter failed to see the whole gig due to being hit by a flying glass (seen below).
No one wants to see it and similar events are becoming a growing problem at indie gigs with a girl being burnt by a flare at Liam Gallagher and the various complaints about flares which have been made during the latest run of Catfish and the Bottlemen gigs.
Whilst different dickish behaviour was seen at Sports Team last night, it is part of a bigger problem currently facing this genre’s fans.
However, this is not the problem of the bands, who have responded brilliantly to it but more to do with educating the toxic set of fans which feel like this is acceptable.
Despite this Sports Team hit a home run on Monday night and I can’t wait to see what their new album will sound like especially after seeing a preview of some of the new songs last night.
Sorry perform at Northumbria Institute 2 – 22/11/2019 – Joseph Jordan
Almost a year to the day since they supported Shame at Newcastle University, Sorry returned to the North East this time for their own headline show.
With support from local band Swine Tax as well as up and coming experimental jazz punks Muck Spreader, the London based band put on an electric set.
Swine Tax opened the show with an explosion of punk proving themselves to be once again ones to watch for the future.
The Newcastle based band are not strangers to opening for touring artists in the region having supported The Orielles as well as BODEGA in the past and don’t expect them not to be playing in even bigger venues in the future.
Swine Tax supporting Sorry at Northumbria Institute – 22/11/2019 – Joseph Jordan
The delivery of the songs was full of passion and really got the crowd on side especially after an excellent performance of 2018’s ‘Tory Water’.
Make sure to catch them if you can, with the band performing at next year’s Hit the North Festival.
Next up were Muck Spreader, who are completely different beast to Swine Tax.
It’s hard to really explain what the band exactly are due to their uniqueness. They’re a mix of indie, ska, jazz, punk and experimental music.
The entire show was one of the most unique I’ve seen, I don’t know if I just need to get out more, there’s so many questions which stem from it.
Muck Spreader supporting Sorry – 22/11/2019 – Joseph Jordan
The lyrics were particularly great with the bizarre delivery really hitting the right tone.
The heavily delayed, reverbed guitars gave the vibe of The Specials with a haunting quality to some of the songs.
It was an experience and one I really enjoyed, shout out to the guitar/trumpet player.
Now onto the main act of the night, the amazing Sorry. The band recently released the brilliant ‘Right Round The Clock’ (which features in my November playlist if you wanna check it out).
The band are definitely ready for the step up to bigger venues when their debut album comes out next year.
With musical intros and various excellent songs this felt like a bigger show which had been shrunk down into a smaller venue.
The show felt stripped down from the songs which have already been released missing the brass parts to songs like ‘Right Around The Clock’ which is understandable of course with it being difficult to bring a brass band on tour.
This stripped down vibe really worked producing a different energy out of the songs which worked well in a live setting.
Sorry perform at Northumbria Institute -22-11-2019 – Joseph Jordan
Sorry also previewed new songs from their new album, all of which sounded great and showed to different sides to this very unique band.
I’ve seen Sorry three times now and I definitely won’t be turning down the opportunity to see them again.
Wednesday night saw FEET bring their debut album to Think Tank? Newcastle.
Last month, the band released their debut album,‘What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham’ with the group touring the album on this current run of the country.
Having played downstairs at Think Tank? Underground, earlier in the year the Coventry based band made the transition well bringing their lively show to the venue.
The band, whose album garnered a four star review from the NME, played all 10 songs from their debut.
The album is a mixture of post punk and indie with perhaps the most inventive, imaginative lyrics you could possibly wish to hear.
From songs about hot dog filled ballads to anthems revolving around chemicals in cars, the album is crease pop at its finest if you haven’t already checked it out.
The gig lived up to the brilliance of the album, with the bizarreness of the record being perfectally captured in the live show filled with weird dancing and colourful lights.
The band filled the stage, mainly due to the small size of it however they managed to create an intimate feeling with the crowd.
The final three songs, featuring two of their most popular singles ‘Petty Thieving’ and ‘Outer Rim’, sent the crowd wild with mosh pits forming at the front.
As one of indie’s rising stars make sure you go to see FEET if you get the chance before they hit, massive venues you won’t regret it.
Make sure to also check out my exclusive FEET quiz right here.
Sunday night saw slowthai bring his ‘Bet Ya A £5er Tour’ to the North East in a show which lived up to the hype of the rising star.
JUMPING – slowthai enters the crowd at the NUSU – @joejordan2000
For five pounds, this maybe the best value gig, I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing with the energy in the room reaching the levels seen upon the stage. With a full laser show combining well with a searing performance by the Mercury Prize nominated artist.
The rapper, who came fourth in the BBC Sound of 2019, reflected in his debut LP release ‘Nothing Great About Britain’ on the fractured and broken social landscape of Brexit Britain, whilst providing a hopeful twist for the future. This is well translated into the show with huge mirrors greeting fans at the door with the message ‘Something Great About Britain‘ emphasizes the message of love shown by the rapper.
The politically charged atmosphere continued throughout the gig with various ‘F*CK BORIS’ chants demonstrating his ability to tap into youth culture and unite people in a time of such turbulence. A particularly touching moment came when the rapper pointed to his mirrored stage and proclaimed that ‘these mirrors are what’s great about Britain’. In doing so uniting the crowd behind him.
The crowd interaction is what made the gig feel so dangerous in all the right ways, to see a crowd united behind a message of love and against hate is all the more powerful in the current climate.
It is perhaps apt, that a show with such a strong message of unity, showed the bond between the artist and crowd which was demonstrated throughout the show with the rapper regularly joining the masses as well as inviting guests onto the stage.
Whilst certainly not a large venue, this turned the gig into an intimate and personal experience even from the very back you felt part of it. One moment, which particularly captured this was a touching and emotional rendition of ‘Northampton’s Child’ performed for only the third time live.
The song, a beautiful tribute to slowthai’s mother perfectly encapsulates all that is great about this artist combining social commentary with raw and personal lyrics which puts him amongst the UK finest’s artists. This, amongst other songs from his debut album and prior EPs, created a very special atmosphere not generated by many artists.
If you get the chance to see him make sure you take it, you won’t find the levels of energy and passion even if you went to a different gig every day for a year it was simply fantastic make sure to check him out.
Humbug North East 