A large black banner hangs on the back of the stage with the graphic for the latest album black swan. The emblem encapsulates the whole of the gigs, simple, well thought-out and extremely effective. Stage props come in the form of huge globe like half lanterns and super watt floodlights that pulsate occasionally to the music. It is a simple stage set up showing the underlying confidence that the band have within themselves. They don’t need fancy props or an elaborate costumes to keep the audiences attention, it is exactly how rock gigs should be: energetic and unadulterated.
Saying the band are tight doesn’t give them justice, they move together like a wave dipping and rising in unison. The chemistry between the band is obvious, communication is non-verbal and even the guitar change over’s are barely noticeable. The band plays hysterically when appropriate but without losing any skill and their timings are faultless, the markings of a band that have a long history together. When the song requires it they play with a tenderness so controlled its like a whisper and perfectly balanced to each other.
There is an obvious evolution to be heard between old and news songs but lead singer Joel Potts distinguishing inflection at the end of certain words keeps them feeling uniform. As a front man he is charismatic, engaging and polite, managing to be confident without being arrogant.
The last song before the encore is ‘Wires’ well it had to be really didn’t it. The atmosphere is transfixing; people dare not breathe in case they spoil the moment. If the gig had consisted of that one song then it would have been worth the ticket alone. At one point the lights are turned on the audience, Joel Potts raises his hands in the air and the audience sings back to him, with emotion running high it was a moment to remember for many years to come.
Published in Yorkshire Evening Post and the Metro
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