What started as an event organized by Leeds College of Music to coincide with Freshers week, Sky Larkin, along with invited guests return to their hometown as part of a tour in support of excellent new album Motto, released just last week.
Now moved to the fabulous Brudenell, with four bands on the bill, at an unbelievable £4 entrance on the door (!), the details were actually removed from the Brudenell website such was the interest from the students from the college.
So, looking and feeling like someone from the audience's Dad, I took my place at the bar as Cardiff's RADSTEWART kicked off the night. 25 minutes of Pixies ish 3-minute spiky quiet loud quiet songs later and they were done. Promising stuff.
Next up were Cowtown, another Leeds band, who I confess I only saw their first song, before hearing the rest from the next-door bar. Again, enjoyable indie rock sounds.
So, just after 10pm, just about this reviewers limit for a school night gig, Sky Larkin took the stage with Leeds College alumnus Katie Harkin proving a dominant stage presence in front of her devoted followers and wannabes.
Performing as a 3 piece tonight, the band opened up with 'Still Windmills', first track from 2nd album Kaleide, much to the delight of the two 18 year olds standing next to me who sang every word.
As expected, the rest of the set was dominated by tracks from new and third album Motto which I suspect, being students, most of the audience had yet to hear.
The barre chord bonanza of 'Treasury' was followed by new single 'Loom', before 'Carve it Out' then into the best-titled track on the album 'Bravo Dodo'.
Between song banter was nice to hear and mainly involved giving the crowd tips on what to do and what to avoid in Leeds...Crash & Jumbo Records of course are have to do's. A very definite night to avoid was New Years Eve in Oceania at £45 entrance, apparently.
My favorite from Motto, the rocking 'Frozen Summer' was up next before 'Newsworthy' ended the run of new songs. 'Matador' and 'Fossil', from first album The Golden Spike were played with intensity and familiarity before Katie introduced a tribute to Poly Styrene and Xray Spex by playing 'The Day The World Turned Day Glo'.
Finally, title track Motto ended the set before the band wished the students all the best with forming bands and stuff and welcoming them to the centre of the universe!
Another excellent night was done for me at the best venue in Yorkshire, as The Galaxians stage time of 11.20 proved a little beyond my endurance.
Keith
@kjsmith4082
