[GIG REVIEW] Lisbon w/ King No-One, Victors & Indigo Velvet @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, Saturday 6th February 2016

Either i'm going mad or the Brudenell Social Club has venue has moved. Yet nobody i spoke too seemed to confirm this for me. Anyway despite my uncomfortable feeling that i was possibly at the wrong venue, i instantly heard the reassuring sounds of Indigo Velvet coming from the room behind the bar.

Their sound caught my ears instantly and even made me skip getting an early Guinness in for fear of missing another second of their set stood in a queue at the bar. A couple of people had said these lads were good (shout out to the Lisbon street team @LisbonFC) and for me they didn't disappoint. Technically great, young and enthusiastic, I thought they carried themselves really well. Keep it going boys!

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Victors were next on the bill and they for me personally didn't hit home as much. I can't slate them because they actually played a great little set, there was just that spark missing for some reason that even a couple days after the event i can't quite put my finger on. Maybe the tunes that had the familiar 'ooo's and ahh' sing along sections just made my brain switch off.

That said I genuinely loved the bassist! From the moment go he was just exuberant about being on stage. 1UP on everyone else's efforts.

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What can I say about King No-One that I haven't already. For anyone who has read my previous posts about them will know i love this band so this is going to read pretty samey.

The lads know how to deliver their tunes now with almost surgical precision and I always enjoy a good mic stand twizzle!

The guys played their newest tunes "Stay Close" and "Say My Name" which went down rather well with a Leeds crowd who no doubt will now try pop along to the single launch in the same city. Headrow House / 17/3/16.

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Headline Act - LISBON certainly showed their prowess in terms of headlining an evening of good music by treating the crowd to some sensual, almost seedy at time, proper good indie tunes. The lads know how to get the crowd involved whilst still singing about subjects to make you think.

New tune 'Vice' has a vibe that means your hips move even if you don't want them too! A natural progression from a tune like 'Good 2 Me'. You cannot stop this, nor should you want too. 'Khaleesi' and 'Blue Love' and had the crowd continuing to move and get involved.

In turns out the lads are really really nice guys from speaking to them afterwards and i hadn't realised that I am apparently a doppelganger for Matt Varty (Lead Singer)... see this link: PICTURE

@lisbonjoe was superb at the merch stand appreciating the fact i'd traveled a fair distance, told me to have a safe journey home and chucked a t-shirt at me! On stage he was a class act aswell, as were the rest of the lads.

Would recommend catching them at some point in the near future if you can. Apologies for the poor pictures btw, i'm no cameraman unfortunately so i let the iphone do it's best. Must try harder in that respect but when the bands had my attention all night i always forget to take good piccys.

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Jase Hare

[GIG REVIEW] The Magic Gang @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 14th December 2015

It’s on a dark, cold Yorkshire evening that The Magic Gang rolled into town; bringing with them their dreamy, laid back tunes that would fit effortlessly into anyone’s summer playlist. Originally billed for the Brudenell Social Club’s Games Room (a more intimate and intense enclosure), I was shocked on arrival to see the main room open with the top level roped off with curtains. Although deemed as a “small” venue, even I knew it would be hard for the Brighton four-piece to fill such a daunting arena – and sadly, the open plan set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Despite smashing their way through a strong setlist of devilishly infectious tracks, both old and from the forthcoming EP (brilliantly named ‘EP’), the band were not able to fill the glaringly empty venue. With a strong crowd of students and enthusiastic fans, the gig would have been perfectly placed in the originally billed intimate setting – which would have reflected their undeniable intensity that is present in their shows.

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This aside, the band expertly proved why they have been included in DIY Magazine’s ‘Class of 2016’ by bringing us a maturing and developed display of searing guitars and refined grooves. By constantly touring, The Magic Gang have slowly altered and perfected a setlist that accurately reflects their fun and energetic nature. While chatting to members Kris and Paeris, it became clear that the development of such a list hasn’t been as simple as you’d imagine – “the only problem is we have too many songs”. However, even with an embarrassment of riches, the band are able to fit in crisp and concise renditions of their many charming retro-indie guitar tunes that never fail to get the crowd dancing (even with a negative punter to floor space ratio).

Old fan favourite and publicity kickstarter ‘She Won’t Ghost’ is simple but effective, bringing with it a vintage production and the first of many examples of seamless harmonising between all three front men. The well-constructed new single ‘Jasmine’ is given some edge with centre of stage Jack forever smiling, cheerfully bouncing, and winking at any audience member he meets eyes with. With a catchy yet subtle chorus, it is no surprise the song is gaining increasing coverage on Radio 1 (tipped as track of the week BBC Radio 1 Introducing). Amidst some questionable mid-set chat about mirrors, we are treated to the dreamy ‘I Wanna Get To Know Ya’ and the never forgotten ‘Alright’. On top of this, we are also spoilt with some numbers off the impending EP (released in January) including ‘She Doesn’t See’, ‘Feeling Better’ and personal highlight 'All That I Want Is You'.

Unheard and unrecognised, ‘Jazzy’ (at least that’s what I think it’s called) is the dark horse of the set. With many fans opting to force the fun and create a ten-man mosh pit, it was seemingly lost at points. However, with close examination, it evolves into an absolute gem that wouldn’t be out of place on the new Unknown Mortal Orchestra album. Revolving around a modest beat and funky bassline, and with vocals lead by bassist Gus, the track oozes with ancillary confidence and develops into a pigeon-toed groove and indie-pop hybrid.

‘No Fun’ closes the regular show, with all the ‘cooler’ kids showing that they already know all of the words to it – testing its imminent status as a festival favourite in the summer. In jest, the Brighton boys play ‘Alright’ as an encore; showing that, even in these undecorated times, there is a place for a band unafraid of just having fun.

With their musical career only heading in one direction, and showing no signs of slowing, The Magic Gang are a group not to be missed.

The band play the 100 Club as part of the NME Awards Shows series on Monday 15th February 2016.
And don't forgot about their debut EP 'EP' - [PRE-ORDER]

The Magic Gang played:

Lady, Please

She Won’t Ghost

Jasmine

Wanna Get To Know Ya

She Doesn’t See

All That I Want Is You

Alright

Jazzy

Feeling Better

No Fun

- - - - - -

Shallow

Written by Richard Maver

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[GIG REVIEW] Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 29th September 2015

It’s been a while since we last heard from the pure yet enigmatic four-piece Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Having now released their third and most decorated album ‘Multi-Love’, the band have expanded beyond the 60s spaced-out fuzzy rock sound of their previous work; this time, adding doses of funk and pop to their classic layered guitar and ethereal vocals. Many have prematurely labelled UMO as a band that can only exist in the studio, and that they are masters of production trickery, creating sounds that are almost impossible to reconstruct live.

Boo to these people.

Their recent tour of the UK has seen the band mature exponentially. By showing off their new material as well as peppering the set with euphoric album cuts, the band oozes confidence and brings all the “studio sorcery” and funk than any one person could handle. What we got at the sold out Brudenell Social Club was non-stop clean, unsullied fun – proof that psychedelic and gone-disco bands don’t have to take themselves too seriously.

Opener ‘Like Acid Rain’ is bolstered by lyrical reverb, with punters crying back the infectious la la la la as if it were the theme to their favourite Pink Floyd inspired children’s TV show. Lead Ruban Nielson shows that he has mastered the art of pulling in listeners with his twisting grooves and delicate fret work, before hitting them hard with a colossal hook. The newly installed PA at the venue perfectly balances UMO’s sound of booming synths, cymbal crunches, and deliberately lithe guitars. Dripping with innocent arrogance and gaining momentum, the band run through the first half of their set quickly and effectively, giving us euphoric singles like ‘Ur Life One Night’ as well as old ones which rarely see the light of day on stage in 2015 such as ‘Thought Ballune’.

The pace is slowed only by the new soulful number ‘The World Is Crowded’ and fan favourite ‘So Good At Being In Trouble’ –  the cautious groove of the latter complimenting the harmonic chorus, proving that they are as danceable and heart-warming as ever. An audience-led hum of the closing tune disperses into a silence as the audience admires the quartet in all their technical ability during ‘Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark)’.

However, the greatest power is through Nielson and his ability to keep the audience transfixed on his movements and fragility – we see him toe tapping whilst playing guitar, nonchalantly leaning up against the back wall under the famous Brudenell paint, sitting front of stage with legs dangling over the edge, as well as venturing out into the audience during ‘Stage Or Screen’. It’s an effortless charm that doesn’t instantly demand attention, but yet you still can’t keep your eyes off him as he loses himself in his own world of psychedelia. After wandering through the crowd with a cheesy grin (note: I’ve heard he went and got a pint during the London show), he finishes off the guitar-lacking segment of the set with an abrupt, unforeseen Jackson-esque swivel and drop. It’s unpredictable, shamelessly silly, and exudes the band’s intrinsic vulnerability – but in this lies the band’s greatest muscle and proof of honest integrity (something which is lost in today’s business).

The only thing predictable about the whole show is the responses to singles, ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Ffunny Ffriends’. Both leaving punters itching to dance, jump, and clap their hands, stomp their feet, or do whatever they felt was necessary at the time. The title track of the new album, and set closer, is funkier than any UMO song has been before, pasting together a boisterous and unavoidable chorus.

At first, their re-appearance on stage is disappointing, as the deep synths of ‘Necessary Evil’ unable to follow suit of the previous closer. Despite the start of the encore lacking the classic UMO spark, it is swiftly redeemed of a shortcoming with latest single ‘Can’t Keep Checking My Phone’ – this being as close to a new-wave and pop song as you could ever apprehend from this group, with capturing vocals and a disco undertones.

To prove their increasing live identity, the set is littered with solos. Each member of the quartet is given multiple opportunities to emulate any individual rock-star fantasy - from Ruban Nielson on guitar, to Jake Portrait on bass, to Quincy McCrary on keys, and Riley Geare on drums. However, this never overflows into cockiness or to seem immodest, every member remains within their bubble of self-awareness and simply have a good laugh with each other.

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It is now completely understandable as to why Unknown Mortal Orchestra have progressed from a fad to a force. This is a band that are humbled by a sell-out, and a band who leave the stage as delighted as they were when taking it. A band that play the songs you know, as well as the ones you don’t – because they can.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra played:

Like Acid Rain

From The Sun

How Can You Luv Me

Ur Life One Night

Thought Ballune

The World Is Crowded (great)

So Good At Being In Trouble

Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark)

Stage Or Screen

Ffunny Ffriends

Multi-Love

- - - - - -

Necessary Evil

Can’t Keep Checking My Phone

Written by Richard Maver

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Gig Review... Tycho @ Brudenell Social Club, 5th October 2014

On a cold night in the northern city of Leeds, Brudenell Social Club was warmed with the refreshingly ambient indie stylings of San Francisco outfit Tycho. For anyone who isn't already in the know, Tycho is the brainchild of Scott Hansen who, as well as producing and writing as Tycho, is known for his graphic design and photography works under the alias ISO50. Together, the two projects walk hand-in-hand with a big emphasis on visual projections with their live performance. 

Tycho's music has come on in leaps and bounds since the debut album 'Sunrise Projector' was released ten years ago. Past material has focussed more on the use of retro warmth but the latest offering, 'Awake', has presented a more progressive take on electro indie.

Live, Hansen is accompanied by three other band members to produce a purely instrumental musical experience. Greeted by a full crowd of enthusiastic fans, Tycho recreated tracks from their discography to the same production style as the record. Although the live element in the band's energy lacked, the use of mesmerising visuals attached with each song helped to explore themes of childhood, dream landscapes and nostalgia. It's hard to comprehend a full set of instrumental mellow synth electro and at times the set grew slightly repetitive but overall, Tycho managed to draw in the crowd with their reverb-soaked sound. 

Key tracks from the set included big tracks such as 'A Walk', 'Awake', 'Montana' and 'Spectre'. Although much of Tycho's music is more heavily appreciated in a calmer environment through headphones, the San Francisco outfit did a great job of emphasising the intimacy of the small Brudenell Social Club by creative an immersive atmosphere.

Out of Ten: 7/10

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