The Cheap Thrills
First up was the Cheap Thrills doing the job as support this evening. The band have definitely got a streak of Stereophonics running through their sound, that cool, steady confidence built for big rooms. Good vibes all the way. The crowd took to them instantly and they pulled in punters in. Solid opener, full of charm and momentum. there new single is great give it a listen too.
The Slow Readers Club
The Foundry was already humming when the lights dipped, but when that Slow Readers Club rig roared into life (I found out after the show it was the venues rig), it didn’t just brighten the room. It drenched us. A whole colour-storm soaking every face in Sheffield. You couldn’t help but smile at it.
Tonight was Cavalcade in all its glory. The full album, start to finish, like dropping the needle and letting it run. No pauses. No tweaks. Start Again eased us in, I Saw a Ghost shimmered beautifully, and the whole run had that deep, magnetic mood that always makes me think of late-night Bunnymen shadows drifting in from somewhere unseen. Aaron reminded us it was their second album recital and the crowd proudly adopted the nostalgia.
He had a little ramble about old Tramlines memories before they tore into the title track Cavalcade itself, which landed like a shared heartbeat across the room. Proper crowd favourite. By the end of the full album run, everyone looked a bit taller, like the music had quietly pulled us up by the collar.
After the intermission they drifted into Old Ideas and then the evening shifted into its second act: the extras. A little victory lap. A treat after the treat.
Visually and audibly it was gorgeous. Aaron and the lads rarely miss, and Sheffield clearly loves them for it. For a moment it looked like they were sailing through without a single hiccup, until a tiny tech gremlin had a nibble. Nothing dramatic. Aaron had a quick chat with the sound desk like he was ordering a pint, the room chuckled, and then they blasted straight into Boys So Blue, one of my personal favourites. Felt like being plugged back into the mains.
They talked about Out of a Dream coming close to becoming a top 10 record, that little mix of pride and disbelief still fresh in their voices. And we finally learned the origin of the famous “Readers” chant. Sheffield invented it, apparently. No one here seems keen on chanting “Club”, but maybe this city just prefers its biscuits with restraint. Indie habits. Beautifully odd.
To finish, the crowd demanded one more and the band didn’t leave them hanging. We Will Build a Tower rolled through the room, arms up, voices knitted together, that lovely shared warmth that lingers longer than the ringing in your ears.
I spoke with super fan Claire
“Tonight was a top gig by the Readers – tbh tell me a gig of theirs that isn’t! It’s a unique privilege to hear the decade-old Cavalcade album in full – my favourites being Secrets and title track Cavalcade.
Us fans are aware we may never get to wrap our ears around some of these tracks live again… except I will, tomorrow in Newcastle! (hope she enjoys the pie and mash place I recommend The Red House).
It must be really hard to put together the set list for the final half, as this is a band with 7 excellent studio albums, each with a phenomenal number of decent tunes that are all worthy of being included and played live.
Thanks lads for a brilliant night.”
A brilliant night. Manchester hearts shining bright in Sheffield and pulling the crowds from Nottingham.
FOLLOW THE SLOW READERS CLUB HERE
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO – CLAIRE SELWOOD // PHOTO CREDIT – SIMON LEE
FIND MORE TOP BANDS COMING OUTTA MANCHESTER HERE
