Ben Howard delivers intimate set to unenthusiastic crowd at Brudenell Social Club

Imogen Harper on 4 January 2022

Going into Ben Howard’s set on the 8^th of December, I had high expectations. I had seen videos of his performances before. The emotion and drama created from his performance of End of the Affair at Jools Holland, the intimate and thoughtfulness he portrayed at his NPR Tiny Desk, were both things I expected to see from the artist. However, I left Ben Howard’s show at Brudenell Social Club with slight disappointment. Sure, the music was good, but the whole atmosphere of the gig was very strange and not something I would want to experience again.

As an album release gig, Howard performed most of the songs off his new album Collections from the Whiteout. The album, released at the end of March 2021, is the fourth studio album for Ben Howard and shows his exploration of a new sound that we haven’t seen from him before. Mixing a Neo-Soul style with elements of Jazz and topping that with lyrics inspired by historical fiction, Howard creates fourteen tracks that are musically intelligent and lyrically peculiar. As previously stated, the gig was meant to be part of the album release tour, but the circumstances of the past couple of years meant that it was postponed… and then postponed again to make room for Howard’s main tour. All this waiting acted to increase excitement and anticipation for the gig, a notion solidified by the long queues and excited babble ensuing before the start of the set.

The set started off strongly with Howard walking on stage to a great reception from the crowd. Without an opening act, the general atmosphere of the crowd was one of excitement and anticipation for Howard. The first song of the performance, Rumble Strip, set a strong start for Howard. As a song only available on the deluxe album, it wasn’t widely known. This left the floor open for Howard to create a beautifully intimate and contemplative atmosphere for the song. The limited textures used gave the vocals a chance to soar with emotion and sensuality.

The set continued with songs such as What a Day and Finders Keepers. The former being the first single of the album. It was here that an air of restlessness settled over some audience members who then began to shout out and heckle Howard, something that was obviously putting him off.

The highlight of the set for me came with the performance of my favourite song, Rookery, the studio version of a previously untitled track Howard played in many shows from his previous tour. This song gave the set an immediate intimacy that had been previously lost to heckling and jibes from the audience.

As the gig went on, the atmosphere grew strange. With an audience who were not listening, and an artist thrown off his game, the event began to fall further into unease. It was clear the atmosphere was taking a toll on Howard who had to stop halfway through one song before he could continue with his set. The saving grace of the set came with the crowd favourites I Forgot Where We Were and Conrad. Both songs taken from his 2014 album I Forgot Where We Were, suggesting the audience restlessness came with a want for Howard to play his older tracks rather than his newer songs.

Although musically the set was phenomenal with intricate guitar parts, beautiful vocals and meaningful lyrics, the event couldn’t escape the strange atmosphere, and this is what left me wanting more.

Gang of Youths deliver a live show full of energy, supporting Sam Fender

Imogen Harper on 13 December 2021

Bursting onto the stage full of energy, Gang of Youths were filled with charisma and passion as they supported Sam Fender at the First Direct Arena. Highlighted by the colourful and exuberant flair of the frontman David Le’aupepe, Gang of Youths rocked the audience with a mix of their old tunes and some fresher songs from their new album (to be released in February 2022). Joining Fender on his penultimate sold-out show, Gang of Youths are lining up well for their headline tour in 2022.

The 5-piece indie rock band started their atmospheric set with The Man Himself, the first single coming from their new album. A song that focusses on themes of grief and growth. Through their use of instrumentation, the group created a hugely textural and atmospheric sound that left the crowd mesmerised and wanting more. Although the live performance of this track is a little more stripped back then the recorded version, it did not fail to touch the heart strings of everybody watching.

Continuing the set with songs such as The Angel of 8^th Ave. and The Heart Is a Muscle, Gang of Youths filled the hall with flavoursome soundscapes and subtle hints of indigenous influences. Although the layered soundscapes can become a bit similar after a while, Gang of Youths fight this well with the use of intricate lyrical strands and a passionate delivery from all participants.

With Le’aupepe taking centre stage with his exuberant style, it would have been quite easy for the rest of the group to fade into the background. However, it can’t be denied that they all brought their own individuality and excitement to the set. The rest of Gang of Youths, made up of Jung Kim, Max Dunn, Donnie Borzestowski and Tom Hobden, put their hearts and souls into the performance. All adding to the amazing atmosphere of the lively show.

Along with their intense and energy-ridden songs came the intimacy of songs such as Tend the Garden and Magnolia. Keeping with their musical identity, these songs are filled with sensitivity and pain whilst still creating a more positive sonic scape. In these quitter points of the set, Le’aupepe’s vocal qualities were evermore present. Even though it was clear that the energy of the other tunes had left him breathless, he was still able to use intricate and timid vocal tones to put across the delicacy of the songs. With a sound close to the of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, Le’aupepe made sure the audience felt every emotion he was putting across. Gang of Youths finished their set with the song What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out and were met with a great audience reaction.

After the headline set of Sam Fender, who smashed the set as always, Le’aupepe was asked to come back on stage to sing with Fender on his cover of I’m On Fire by Bruce Springsteen. The addition of this encore worked well and fit both artist’s styles. It was nice to see both artists working together as an end to the show.

Lucy Spraggan wows crowds with an intimate acoustic set at The Warehouse

Imogen Harper on 23 November 2021

Almost a decade since she first graced our screens, Lucy Spraggan played an acoustic show at The Warehouse on the 4th of November. With support coming from Billy Lockett, a Northampton-based singer-songwriter, the night was a roaring success. In the intimate set, she took the audience through the story of her career. A showcase highlighting the ups and downs of her journey from the X-Factor stage to her latest album Choices.

In true Lucy Spraggan fashion, she got the audience up and dancing from the very beginning with her first major hit ‘Last Night (Beer Fear)’. Joined on stage by keyboardist Josh Cana, the night was highlighted with fan favourites such as ‘Mountains’ and ‘Lightning’ as well as a cover of the classic ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ by The Proclaimers. The latter being a cover that demonstrated her amazing vocals and musicality.

The hour-long set featured upbeat songs from previous albums such as ‘Lighthouse’ from her first album Join the Club in 2013 and ‘Lucky Stars’ from the 2019 album Today Was A Good Day. Spraggan also performed some of her more stripped-back and emotional songs such as ‘Grown Up’ from the 2017 album I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing and ‘Choices (Don’t Be Afraid)’- this being the title track of the new album. The line-up of danceable, foot-stomping moments contrasted with moving acoustic numbers made for a beautiful set that left crowds with their hands in the air and tears in their eyes. No song made us more emotional than the downtempo and vulnerable ‘Sober’, taken from the 2021 album Choices. A song exploring her decision to stop drinking and become the person she always wanted to be.

Between musical numbers, Spraggan candidly detailed her life over the past decade. Speaking of the highs she had achieved, such as getting married, touring the UK, and becoming sober. As well as exploring the lows she has faced: her divorce, her addiction, and the loss of record deals to name a few. Hearing her talk about her stories made for an authentic and truthful night that made the audience love her more.

Spraggan ended the night with four songs from her latest album Choices, released in February 2021. The album is a collection of songs reflecting on her personal struggles over the previous year. Whilst the slower ‘Choices (Don’t Be Afraid)’ and ‘Sober’ showed her vulnerable side; it was clear that ‘Run to The Hills’ and ‘Run’ were the songs to leave the crowd with high spirits and demanding more. Lucy and Josh returned to the stage to perform an encore, the first of their tour. A perfect end to the night; an amazing gig from start to finish.

Sydney’s Gang of Youths set to support Sam Fender in Leeds

Imogen Harper on 18 November 2021

Following the announcement of their third album Angel in Realtime, Gang of Youths are out to impress in Leeds later this month. As the guests of Sam Fender on his sold-out arena tour, they have traveled the UK playing to crowds of thousands. They will be making their stop at First Direct Arena, Leeds, on the 24th of November.

First formed in Sydney back in 2012, the indie rock group are on par with the likes of Arcade Fire, Muse, and The National. With a mix of cinematic soundscapes, stunning vocals and influences taken from indigenous music; Gang of Youths create an unforgettable sound for anyone who listens.

The release of their new single ‘Tend the Garden’ marks their fourth preview of the new album, to be released on the 25th of February 2022. Singles released so far this year include ‘The Angel of 8th Ave’, ‘Unison’, and ‘The Man Himself’; all tracks to be found on the upcoming album. When describing the LP, the band said the album is “about the life and legacy of Dave [Le’aupepe]’s father”. With themes of grief, death, and faith; the album is set to be an emotive and compelling collection.

The group is described by the Guardian as “a band who always swing for the fences”. In addition to their shows with Sam Fender, Gang of Youths have recently announced a headline tour of the UK and Europe in March of 2022, during which time they will visit Leeds again – this time at Leeds Beckett student union on the 8th of March. This tour will be quickly followed by a North American tour, before the group return to Australia to play some shows in July. 2022 is set to be a busy year for Gang of Youths! With the release of their new album and their world tour, fans can expect great things over the coming year.

Gang of Youths are set to support Sam Fender on the 24th of November for the sold-out show at First Direct Arena. If you didn’t manage to get tickets for the show, the group is returning to Leeds in March – tickets for that show go on sale on the 19th of November and can be found via the Live Nation website.

Foy Vance hits all the right spots with new album ‘Signs of Life’

Imogen Harper on 27 October 2021

Born out of the hardship of 2020, “Signs of Life is about re-emergence”. Whilst also exploring topics such as grief and addiction, Foy Vance’s fourth studio album is inspired by the cycle of death and rebirth, the dawn after despair and the revival of hope after the isolation and depression of lockdown.

Sapling was the first single released and provides the opening to the album. Capturing the essence of renewal, the song is marked by hollow piano chords and soaring vocals. In true Vance fashion, the song is a poetic self-expression of overcoming his addiction and the importance of making a start. It may be a long road, but the first step is the beginning.

Pairing his typical Folk style with Soul, Country and Alt-Rock influences, Vance has created an album full of impassioned and heartfelt records. However, as with any amount of hits, there is always a miss. For me, that comes in the form of ‘People Are Pills’, a song about human inconsistency. The song feels like a step out of line with the rest of the album, a mix of jarring chromatic movement and jazzy harmony that acts as a hump in the road for the otherwise well-put-together album. It is a song, for me, that falls into the background, hiding behind the others – falling short of the mark that tracks like ‘System’ and ‘We Can’t Be Tamed’ smash through.

‘If Christopher Calls’ was the penultimate single before the album release. In the song, Vance pairs a pop-infused musical scape with deep and sorrowful lyrics, creating a song that catches the listener unaware. The catchy melodies and harmonious setting lure the audience into a sense of familiarity. After enticing the audience into a false sense of security, the listener is caught off-guard by the deep and sorrowful lyrics about the loss of a loved one, creating a truly heartfelt and emotional song that pulls at the heartstrings.

All in all, Vance has written and released an album that hits all the right spots, an album that has done well not just with his audience but critics alike.