LIVE REVIEW: Novelists @ The Key Club, Leeds
It was disconcerting to arrive to The Key Club ahead of time and being able to get to the front – we half wondered whether we’d got the wrong date. It was at that point we saw Camille Contreras of NOVELISTS exit the venue and pick up her UberEats. Definitely the right place.
It was only really as the doors opened that more people began to arrive. Coordinated arrivals make for shorter queues, and we’re all about it; no standing around in the cold. Happy hour began and the bar began to fill; pints flowed and a small-to-medium crowd had gathered before the first band of the night: ASHEN.
Hailing from Paris, France – the five piece appeared amidst a moody voice-over. A newcomer to UK shores, the pop djent vibes were, quite frankly, outstanding. We were treated to down-tuned chugs and virtuosic clean vocals that had no business in transforming into visceral screams at the tip of a hat. A popular cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit has the whole room bouncing around, and going back over their back catalogue after the fact – every song feels familiar enough from the night prior; they’re undoubtedly VERY catchy. ASHEN are back in the UK this summer at Radar Festival – definitely check them out.
Rating: 8/10
One somewhat haphazard change-over later, ELWOOD STRAY joined the stage and turned the wick up even higher. The German quartet from Essen brought hardcore beats and head-bopping verses that saw the crowd return polite applause, and even a pushpit or two. Frontman, Maik called for more, but the Leeds crowd wasn’t so forthcoming. With screams that could bring down a house, cleans you’d tell your mother about and riffs worth a mosh, we were expecting more from those in attendance. The set powered on through their roster of tracks otherwise without issue – we’d definitely see ELWOOD STRAY again given the chance, and they’ll be forming part of our personal playlists for months to come.
Rating: 8/10
THE WORD ALIVE are no stranger to the UK, though it’d been a while since the US group had graced Leeds’ venues. High off the release of their seventh studio album, Hard Reset, the group are an attraction unto themselves. We saw the greatest response from the crowd so far, with screams from the front row on the introduction of old fan favourites. What was impressive was the energy that came from the stage; vocalist Tyler Smith oozes charisma and, to use an orchestral term – has ‘chops’. Even when the entire backline cut out leaving him virtually shouting over the drums, he was still clearly audible. Impressive to say the least. Despite this, We’re just left with an uncomfortable truth, that a band as large as they had been historically, are now a supporting band at The Key Club. Irrespective of that fact – their HUGE choruses and jammin’ riffs mean that THE WORD ALIVE’s present lineup appear a well-gelled machine; and their ‘new era’ seems to be showing signs of a resurgence. Crack on, lads.
Rating: 8/10
Personal talk now – NOVELISTS are one of those bands that this reviewer has been fortunate enough to see a few times: twice with Matteo Gelsomino, and now, in their current line-up with Camille. There was a lot of uncouth chatter when the French five piece announced Camille Contreras as the new vocalist – all of it entirely unwarranted. The band are still crushing it – and no, we won’t be accepting questions.
The band’s huge lighting rig atop the stage brought the band out to their sophomore single of this line-up, Prisoner; a statement of true intent. The track is a melting pot with riffs, breakdown call-outs, dancy-cleans and shreddy guitar solos – it honestly set the scene for the entire performance. It’s true, there’s a conversation to be had about how the older songs transfer into Camille’s range, but it’s only complimentary. Her grasp over the old material was masterful; when the band brought out A Bitter End after however long, it felt… normal. This, plus her own credits on C’est La Vie and Turn It Up speak to the versatility of this girl’s voice.
Ending with the most recent single Mourning The Dawn, the appreciative crowd sent the band off on the rest of the tour, with two of the troupe heading straight to the merch table for a chat with fans. (Camille’s home-made candles seemed popular!)
Through the previous times we’ve seen NOVELISTS, they’ve been a (granted, atmospheric) metal/hardcore band with all the feels. That was fine. The difference that we have noticed seeing them now was the sheer joy that they exuded whilst on stage. Smiles, banter, and an unapologetic freshness. We’re here for it. Superb.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Leeds from Rhys Haberfield Media here:
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