A first for me, Leeds’s largest venue, First Direct Bank Arena. From the outside it resembles a UFO, pretty impressive and I got rather excited to see what the interior would look like. More like a theatre, with tiered seating than a vast vacuous vessel like so many arenas are these days, despite it’s size, it felt much more intimate than the AO.
The support act this evening were The Royston Club. The Wrexham four piece warmed up the ever expanding crowd and got us all in the mood. Whilst not a band I would usually choose to listen to, their set was slick, excellent vocals from all, and a series of anthems pop rock tracks that left the crowd shouting for more as their set drew to an end.
These guys seem to be gaining headway in the indie popularity contest, and fair play to them when they have so much competition. I feel The Royston club have the edge here, a more mature outlook and sound that leaves their competitors in the shade.
Ashcroft arrived to a sea of cheers and there was a buzz in the air as he swaggered on to a Smiths soundtrack. Casually dressed in an eye catching Adidas tracky top and jeans, Ashcroft began his set with a Verve track ‘Weeping Willow’. The sound in this arena is magnificent, and Ashcroft’s voice was on fine form. During ‘Music is Power’ Ashcroft threw shade at the use of AI, said it would not win, and I whole heartedly agree with him. FUCK AI!
The set list showcased Verve classics with solo material. Personal highlights for me, and ig would appear many of th audience were ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ and ‘A Song for the Lovers’. Iconic and timeless, always a thrill and privilege to hear such iconic tracks live from the man who penned them.
The encore was an epic mix of three classic Verve tracks, ‘History’, ‘Sonnet’ and of course to round off. perfect evening of 90’s Nostalgia ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’. The addition of a band and a small choir on stage certainly added to the beautiful sound, and by the time the show was over, I doubt anyone even noticed the rain that had started to descend on Leeds City Centre, high spirits all around for another belting Ashcroft show.
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