More about: Yard Act

Yard Act are one of the most exciting bands the UK has to offer, blending brilliantly scathing lyrics with a palpable stage presence all combing to create an irresistible energy. Their debut album, The Overload reached number 2 in the charts and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. 

After a string off sell-out dates the band return home to Leeds for one last victory lap, returning to the legendary Brudenell Social Club, with a variety of special guests and comedy legend Phil Jupitus in tow, for a whopping 5-night residency.

Before the main event kicked off the crowd was treated to a set by comedy legend Harry Hill, performing the most insane half an hour of comedy imaginable. Jokes about tray bake vs tear-and-share baking somehow had the crowd in hysterics with his eccentric stage persona demanding the audience’s attention. Hill soon took aim at the, “6 music dads” in attendance, armed with a comically large box of wine, ready to spray anyone who dare heckle him. It was an intense, strange and truly captivating set that proved just why Hill is a legend of his craft.

As Yard Act took to the stage the sounds of Robbie Williams’ classic, ‘Let Me Entertain You’ swilled around the Brudenell with the crowd already in the palm of their hand. All the better, then, to reveal that tonight’s setlist was to be decided by a spin-wheel located centre stage.

The genius of this idea was encapsulated within the opening of the show, as the band kicked into a blistering rendition of, ‘The Overload’, that had pockets of the crowd bouncing with reckless abandon. This was quickly followed up by, ‘Crow Whipping’ as the crowd stood mesmerised as guitarist Sam Shipstone whipped a model crow with a towel before the show swiftly continued.

These odd little tracks permeated the setlist, as optimised with the one-two punch of, ‘Pigs Like Us’ and, ‘Brian May’. The latter being a rendition of the national anthem which the crowd were encouraged to boo. It felt less like seeing one of the country’s most exciting bands, but rather a Mighty Boosh stage show.

As the show progressed the band found their stride, with tracks such as, ‘Rich’, ‘Paynotes’ and, ‘Tall Poppies’ epitomising the bands ability to craft beautifully twisted and angular post-punk. The vocals flowing over the  guitars with a John Cooper Clarke-esque drone. Pulling you into their twisted, deformed version of Britain. One that’s not too far from real life.

Closing out the main portion of the set was a breath-taking rendition of, ‘100% Endurance’. With it’s life-arming poetry it was truly the perfect contrast to the barrage of political post-punk that made up the rest of the set. With front man bellowing, “It's all so pointless, It is and that's beautiful,” it was a true encapsulation of the poetic bliss that makes Yard Act the hottest band in the country.

After a quick break the band came back to road-test a new track called, ‘The Trench Coach Museum’ and the play a shit-hot cover of Cumbawumba’s classic, ‘Tubthumping’, joined by Hill and Jupitus on vocals. It was bonkers, like some 6Music induced fever dream as two wild worlds collided. Leaving the audience in stitches, with hands hurting from clapping so much and throats sore from the sing along - what a finale.

See the view from the pit, captured by Andrew Rowell:

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More about: Yard Act