LIVE REVIEW: Those Damn Crows @ The Key Club, Leeds
Walking into Leeds on a Friday night you can expect to see a variety of characters going about their evening. Based on who you see it all becomes obvious if there as an event on, along with the genre of said event, in this example being a rock show. But rather than a younger crowd filled with an ever-flowing sea of fishnets, dyed hair and piercings, we are instead greeted by a group of individuals donned with leather jackets, patches and band shirts, otherwise known as the dad-rock generation. THOSE DAMN CROWS were in town tonight to perform what was, not only a headline show, but the opening night for their Inhale/Exhale tour.
Accompanying them on tour, the hard rockers decided to bring along two bands who shared their Welsh heritage: VALHALLA AWAITS and JAMES AND THE COLD GUN. Kicking off first, VALHALLA AWAITS offered a setlist filled with songs heavily influenced by classic rock ‘n’ roll, filled with energetic guitar riffs that created a pleasant sound of alt-rock fused with some garage. Yet, it wasn’t the most unique take on the genre, with the band themselves not really engaging with audience, making their set slightly forgettable.
Rating: 6/10
JAMES AND THE COLD GUN did turn things around with a set that was fun and upbeat with fast paced rock songs that kept everyone engaged. Furthermore, they seemed incredibly happy to be there with bringing up how they have attended shows at The Key Club and how stoked they were to be there. Just a lovely vibe all round.
Rating: 7/10
Now we move on to the main reason we’re here: THOSE DAMN CROWS. Opening the set with Fill The Void, you could feel the electric atmosphere as the crowd happily sang along, which is even more amazing considering that the track is from their latest record, Inhale/Exhale, which was only released that same day. It just shows how loyal their fanbase is and how eager they are for new music.
The setlist itself was a healthy mix between their last two albums, Inhale/Exhale and Point Of No Return, meanwhile their debut full-length, Murder And The Motive, was given only a small acknowledgement with two song outings. Yet it was Blink Of An Eye and Rock N Roll Ain’t Dead that was performed so you know that they were only choosing the best. It’s fair to state that the evening never once slowed down, allowing their fans to be in a continuous state of wanting to get up and dance and sing along. It’s hard not to feel positive from the atmosphere experienced throughout the evening.
Another thing to consider are the dad jokes. A lot of dad jokes. Exchanged fairly between THOSE DAMN CROWS themselves and audience members; personal standouts being someone shouting out that lead vocalist, Shane Greenhall, looked like he was a preacher when trying to squeeze over to the piano on the already tiny stage. There was also the part where the fire alarm went off due to the smoke machines, prompting the groan-inducing, yet still funny, statement of, “So hot we set the fire alarm off!” from Shane.
But it’s all good! We can forgive easily with their solid performance. A previously mentioned, their latest album had only come out that day meaning that some songs were performed for the first time. They admitted to feeling nerves, yet you would never know that given the confidence exceeded from the band.
Our only chief complaint of the evening is that there was no Leeds or Yorkshire chant, certainly a weird feeling where the show didn’t feel complete, but maybe it’s not that type of crowd? The final song of the evening was the anthemic See You Again, a track meant to represent the relationship between the band and their fanbase, how much they had missed them during the weird times of lockdown, and a promise that they will always be reunited. A lovely sentiment to wholesome evening.
Rating: 8/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Leeds from Emma Stone Photo here:
Like THOSE DAMN CROWS on Facebook.