Gig Review: Blossoms at Leeds O2 Academy

Blossoms are back, this time bringing fresh sounds from their latest album Gary (2024), to venues across the UK and Ireland. For Leeds fans, the 5-man band played the O2 Academy on Friday, October 18th, filling the venue with their  signature blend of indie-pop and retro rock.  

Over the past 11 years, the Stockport-based musicians have crafted a unique  sound, taking inspiration from psychedelic 80s pop with an indie edge. Their catchy hits highlight their unique live instrumentation with band members like Myles Kellock’s keyboard flair and Tom Ogden’s iconic vocals creating a sound that’s unmistakably their own. Blossoms never fail to bring retro glam. True to form, they came to the stage in flared trousers and fitted shirts- a style that wholly sums up  their distinctive characters. Such attributes make them a fresh and unique band,  radiating nothing but energy and an uplifting atmosphere throughout the entirety of  their performance.  

After a 10 second countdown, frontman, Tom Ogden, kicked off the gig with his pot like taps, setting the beat for the opener, ‘Your Girlfriend.’ It’s a track that undeniably gets the crowd moving, and with this being only the second show of the tour, the  audience, with two-pinters in hands, were certainly in high spirits. 

With the tour celebrating the new album, and song, Gary (2024) a humorous moment in the show came from an anecdote told by Tom, who described the meaning behind it. One thing about Blossoms is that their tunes come from the  mind of a lyrical genius, and if they can create a banger from what Ogden described  as an 8 foot fibreglass gorilla named Gary that was stolen from a garden centre in Scotland, then I’m sure they can write a song about pretty much anything. The 8 foot gorilla unfortunately did not pay a visit to Leeds’ O2 Academy.  

The band did an astounding job at performing their new songs, whilst pleasing loyal fans with some old classics; taking us right back through their first 4 albums,  including their debut, Blossoms (2016). Some of those included, ‘Getaway’, ‘The Keeper’, ‘Honey Sweet,’ ‘Oh No (I think I’m in Love)’ and ‘At Most a Kiss.’ One pivotal moment included the band playing a few lines of ‘You’re Gorgeous’, whilst  seamlessly edging into the beginning lyrics of Oasis’ ‘Half the World Away’ right before the encore. Could this be a nod to Blossoms being a potential support act of the 2025 Oasis reunion tour? This wouldn’t be too much of a surprise after a major Oasis announcement was teased at the end of their Manchester gig in August. 

Two of the band’s biggest hits brought the show to a spirited close. During ‘There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)’, the crowd took lead on vocals before  the song fully kicked in. Swiftly after came ‘Charlemagne’, taking fans right back to the early days and giving the night a perfectly rounded finish. 

Blossoms are undoubtedly, in my opinion, among the best live acts on the British  music scene at the moment; constantly bringing unbelievable energy to their gigs time and time again. They will continue their tour in sold-out cities including  Norwich, Cardiff, and Dublin, before wrapping up with five nights on home turf in Manchester.  

Words by Poppi Andelin