Khuda / Widows Mite / Hindsight

@ Leeds Rio's

Thanks to my travelling companions tardiness I missed the first band on tonights bill. But fear not! For here is my saviour, Tom Brooke from headliners Khuda, with a snappy recollection of their set: "Hindsight from Bradford kick of the night with a blend of alternative rock and some more psychadelic grooves. Whilst I have to admit I didn't manage to catch the full set it was evident that there was definitely some potential on show, with singer/bassist Paul Waite displaying he can definitely do more than just pitch a note." Thanks Tom.

Sheffield prog-metal-emo-rockers Widows Mite are up next. It's an interesting start, all tapped-bass and echoing guitars accompanied by the odd tremolo pick and frontman Jonny Batty's soothing, Dallas Green-like vocals. And then it kicks in, the cymbals crash and the bass balloons us into a soundscape that Vessels would be proud of. The band jerks around like an un-pretentious version of Foals and Batty's started dancing… Wait… What? Yes. I know, it's a shame but Widow's Mite appear to have hired a rejected member of Blue as their frontman (there's beatboxing in one song. Not even ironically! He's really serious!) but let us forget that and concentrate on the music. It's all Silverstein and Alexisonfire, that mixture of emotions that takes you from despair to sheer anger, delayed guitar lines that crash into breakdowns and massive choruses. Good stuff, but lose the beatboxing, please.

We then move onto the two-piece that, with merely a guitar, some drums and some very big amps, manage to be heavier than every other full-sized band we've had on tonight, Khuda. What with guitarist Tom Brooke's homemade set (including a very cunning use of incense) and drummer Robin (Richard) Timmis' appearance of someone who hasn't slept in two days, Khuda give the impression that they're going to be quiet tonight, something to mellow out to. And for the first few minutes they keep that impression. Robin taps his cymbals while Tom fiddles with his guitar. The two create a real calm air in the room with the soft (yet suspicious) opening plucks of 'Ezra', then destroy it in a matter of seconds. This is a great set from Khuda. They do exactly what they do best, better than I've ever seen them do it before. Tom's jumping around, hair flying everywhere, riffs screaming out of the speakers, while Robin at the back has suddenly woken up and realised that he can drum faster and harder than anyone in this room. It's flat out, with no punches pulled, Khuda just know how to do this. They know how to change the mood of a song in a second, then pull you in a completely different direction and it's a credit to their songwriting skills that they're just not afraid to make these songs. If the drum mics had been set up properly this would have been sensationally loud, luckily for me I'm only deaf in the one ear this morning.

Patrick Gunn

Sky Larkin / Pulled About By Horses / Cowtown

@ Leeds Brudenell

Tonight is a special night at the Brude... oh, every night is special at the Brude... but tonight's entertainment is provided courtesy of Radio One's Huw Stephens and he will be presenting it!

Err, apparently not. In fact, I am hard pressed to say what this evening has to do with Radio One at all. Ah well, I am sure they have been working tirelessly to promote this behind the scenes. Anyway, enough of my Radio One baiting - on with the show!

Cowtown – new jumpers, old line up. Now back to a three piece having shed/lost a front man lent from Pifco, the sound is punchier, bassier, rockier, poppier – it's just –er in every way. Jon widdles away, letting Hillary put down some serious bedrock bass and new songs like 'Powerblingers' just ooze punk attitude while reeking of post-punk geekery. The groove is B52s, the riffs are Ramones and the beat goes on. Even 'I'm In Your House (pt1 and 2)' sound like they've given it a fresh coat of paint – Jon rolls on the floor for joy and I am, just briefly, tempted to join him.

They look filthy, tired and on the verge of breakdown, but Pulled Apart By Horses do not do half measure gigs. Sure, their songs are daft and verge on grand theft audio, but just look at the crowd – skins, rockers, metallers, post-rockers, indie kids... something about their magpie style and infectious enthusiasm appeals to just about everyone. I know all the songs by now (write some more) but even when I am covered in beer due to Tom roaming the audience to scream on a more personal level, I am still smiling. Little moments like bass drop ins that invoke pure glee, high fiving complete strangers and waiting for the whole thing to collapse send shivers of joy coursing down my spine. All they need are some more songs (begged, borrowed or written) and they truly will be one of Leeds' best.

Kate Larkin, elfin indie kid that she is, is vivaciousness personified. "This feels like my wedding day," she beams at the adoring audience. Though not possessing the poppy quirkiness of Cowtown or the mania of PABH (though drummer Nestor is a man on the edge), Sky Larkin know a good tune when they hear one – 'One of Two's lilting rock indie groove being a case in point – and come across as approachable yet professional. Only trouble is, the tour has taken it's toll and the set sounds a bit tired, regardless of their niceness. And in the spirit of niceness, they get PABH to join them on stage for their final song, 'Keepsakes,' which has a quirky keyboard hook and a half. It's a lovely party atmosphere though, right down to the can of lager I am clutching by the end of the evening, so I can hardly gripe, can I? Shame Huw missed it... I'm sure he intended to come to every gig...

Rob Wright

The Daybreakers / Gary Stewart Band / Silent Film Project

@ Leeds Oporto

The Daybreakers are a group of blokes with faces only their mother's could love. Thankfully love of music is blind and this six-piece show that beauty is more than skin deep. The music they play isn't easy to categorise. Its quite heavy and quite psychedelic. Not in the normal whimsical way though. There's a real aggression here. I'm reminded of late Small Faces and there are also hints of Hendrix. The line up is unusual, matching a power trio of singer/guitarist, bassist and drummer with a three-piece brass section. With only one guitar a lot is dependent on the ability of the rhythm section and they don't disappoint, keeping things going and even taking a cheeky solo each on the long drawn out middle song (possibly called 'Angel Eyes'). The singer appears to be quite a surly character and the more affable bassist does most of the communicating with the audience. They have bought a fair number of admirers with them and the interest seems justified by the music. There's a whiff of rebellion at the end when the band play an extra song past the curfew but thankfully it doesn't end in tears.

Earlier, Sheffield's Silent Film Project struggled to capture the audience's interest with a set of pleasant but unremarkable sixties themed guitar indie music.

The filling in the sandwich is Gary Stewart's band. Gary must be the hardest working guy on the Leeds music scene. When he's not appearing with his band he's playing solo sets or organising music nights or giving drum lessons. Tonight his lead guitarist has come from his sickbed although it doesn't show. Virtually every time I've seen a show involving Gary Stewart recently somebody seems to have gone down with the lurgy. Perhaps he's a modern day Typhoid Mary? Still his band's tunes are equally infectious (neat link or what?). They are the very epitome of tight and they knock out the familiar folk/pop classics. In contrast to the indulgence of the Daybreakers this is buttoned down tightly laced music but equally enjoyable.

Pete Ellis

The Cribs

@ Manchester Ritz

Wakefield's favourite sons playing in Manchester was always going to be a lively affair. Throw into the mix a local guitar hero in the shape of Johnny Marr, plus the fact that tonight's venue just so happens to be where The Smiths had their first show and you can't help but feel the stars align.

This, the first night of a two-night residency, was kicked off with new song, 'We Were Aborted' before a slew of crowd pleasers, including 'I'm A Realist', 'Hey Scenesters!' and 'Our Bovine Public'. Whilst at first, Marr looked a little lost in comparison to the always-energetic Jarman brothers, it was during second new track 'We Share The Same Skies', dripping with his influence and a trademark riff, that he earned his honorary 'Jarman' title. As the set continued at breakneck pace, with the both the crowd and band rarely letting up, the absence of the usual "Yorkshire" and "Wakefield" chants was barely noticeable. It was about then I realised that tonight marks that occasion when The Cribs now no longer just belong to West Yorkshire, but to the whole of the North.

A few more new songs, the most memorable being 'Hari Kari', worked well alongside material from all three of their previous offerings. Predictably, favourites such as 'Another Number' and 'Men's Needs' were always going to draw the biggest cheers, but 'Be Safe', accompanied with a video projection of Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo delivering his spoken word lyrics, provided a true highlight. On tonight's evidence, The Cribs have not just transcended their own backgrounds, but also the current Indie culture of all accent and little substance, in turn cementing their place in music history. Whether they want it or not, The Cribs will be relevant for a long time to come.

Tom Bailey

Alkaline Trio

@ Leeds Academy

One of the most popular US punk bands of the last decade playing a soulless academy venue? It's not as bad as it seems, as the recently opened Leeds Academy is a fitting venue, with its gothic overtones matching that of the bands.

First on tonight, Oregon trio Broadway Calls offer up a half hour of pop punk mediocrity. Typical of so many acts in the genre, whilst they manage to deliver an energetic set, musically they are generic, borrowing too much from their predecessors and being all too under-whelming.

Next up The Audition fair only slightly better. Whilst overall the Chicago born quintet have a noticeable tightness to their act, once again little jumps out from their set. Although fans of the band will have enjoyed their upbeat half hour, it's unlikely they'll have won anybody else over.

Thankfully Alkaline Trio are a band that always deliver, and although on the live circuit they have never been quiet as a tight as they are on record, their rough-around-the-edges live sound is always consistent. Although this may officially be the tour of latest release Agony and Irony, you wouldn't know it. Sandwiched in between newbies such as 'Calling All Skeletons' and 'Help Me', are a plethora of older favourites, spanning the bands entire catalogue, including highlights 'Clavicle' and 'Nose Over Tail'. As always, the sharing of vocals duties between Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano adds a certain dynamic to the band's snarling performance. Hits 'Stupid Kid' and 'Private Eye' get a somewhat predictable outing, juxtaposing well alongside rare outings for 'Warbrain' and 'Radio', the former accompanied by one last final slew on former President George W Bush. A fun night for anyone new to 'Trio, and a must see for the diehards.

Tom Bailey

Glasvegas / Friendly Fires / White Lies / Florence and the Machine

NME Awards Tour @ Leeds Academy

It's five years since my last taste of this annual NME-approved outing, when Franz Ferdinand opened proceedings back in 2004. Half a decade on, as Franz have just released their third full length, fellow Scots Glasvegas are lined up alongside the rest of the magazine's current crop.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. First on, Florence and The Machine proved to be a complete curveball as to what you'd normally expect from the NME. Frontwoman Florence Welch's vocals gloriously soared as she delivered a surprisingly intense performance. Uniquely compelling, previous single 'Kiss With A Fist' and forthcoming release 'Dog Days Are Over' got the night off to a great start.

Up next the hotly tipped White Lies sadly failed to impress anywhere near as much. Whilst their new wave meets indie wasn't by any means bad, rarely did it promise to go anywhere or excite. The majority of the crowd may have lapped up single 'To Lose My Life', but the real highlight came from Florence's aptly-timed return to the stage for the closing chorus of 'Unfinished Business'. After that minor blip, St Albans trio Friendly Fires delivered a show stealing performance; easily the most energetic of the night. Whilst one onlooker moaned "It's just noise", their eclectic mix of dance, electronica, new wave and yes, samba rhythms, was rapturously received. Previous single 'Paris' was worth the price of admission alone.

Despite having such a hard act to follow, Glasvegas just about managed to rise to the occasion, their moody and atmospheric sound reverberating perfectly around the academy's high ceilings. With singles 'Geraldine' and 'Daddy's Gone' book-ending the set, the Glaswegian quartet confidently romped through their allotted forty minutes. Nothing extravagant, but their simplistic approach has its charm. A worthy outing for all concerned. Until next year then.

Tom Bailey

The Gaslight Anthem / Frank Turner / Polar Bear Club

@ Manchester Academy

Some gigs are more effort than others; a few days worth of snow however would not deter a sold out Academy 2 from catching one of 2008's most acclaimed bands.

On this their first UK visit, American quintet Polar Bear Club started the evening with a raw and impressive outing. Combining tracks from both their EP and album saw the likes of 'Parked In The Parking Lot Of Your Heart' paired perfectly alongside 'Burned Out In a Jar'.

Next Frank Turner had the difficult task of bringing his solo acoustic charm to an adrenaline-fuelled crowd. Whilst Turner is always a pleasure to watch, his half hour outing did create a bit of a lull between the two heavier acts. However, old favourites such as 'Father's Day' and 'Substitute' received a warm reception, alongside new song 'Try This At Home'. A solid outing, that surprisingly shied away from his current Radio1 hit 'Reasons Not To Be An Idiot'.

It's two months to the day since The Gaslight Anthem filled Academy 3. Now, in a room almost twice the capacity, to their credit they deliver an equally rousing performance. Whilst set-wise little has changed, 'Meet Me By The River's Edge' and 'Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis' are welcome additions, it's near impossible to tire of the New Brunswick, New Jersey quartet's soulful punk. As in December an otherwise uninspiring venue is transformed into a rowdy bar, thanks to many a mass sing-a-long, even if there's an obvious divide in the room between the newcomers and those already onboard. The passion and conviction that made them stand out so much is still there in abundance, and on tonight's showing, there's no danger of running on empty anytime soon. The venues might be getting bigger, but this band just keeps getting better and better.

Tom Bailey

Previous Live Reviews

Live Reviews Archive