LIVE REVIEW: Yours Truly @ The Underworld, London

London is in the throes of a series of strikes, with the tube network having ground to a halt and national rail strikes due over the next few days. That doesn’t stop fans turning out for YOURS TRULY on their first ever headline run across the UK. While the tour hasn’t had the most auspicious start with a postponed date in Birmingham due to illness, by all accounts the band are determined to make up for it and give every night their all. 

First though, it’s the turn of LIZZY FARRALL to stake her claim as a force to be reckoned with in the UK’s alternative scene. Though she’s on later than advertised, it at least does give the initially thin on the ground crowd time to gradually swell to a more respectable size. When she does take the stage with her band she treats those here early enough to saccharine pop rock that’s shot through with a dark undercurrent such as with her opening song’s imagery of knives in eyes. Yellow Paint fuses atmospheric synths with reverb-soaked guitars, and Gas Lighting is a slower, heartfelt indictment of the shitty behaviour that is the song’s namesake. FARRALL herself has an easy, magnetic charisma, whether she’s dancing across the stage or belting out a powerful refrain. A new song is introduced with a knowing “this one goes out to anyone that really dislikes their ex,” before its dancefloor ready rhythm kicks in and it gets people moving swiftly. A powerful statement of intent from an artist who could easily headline here one day, too. 

Rating: 8/10

SOUTH ARCADE have an uphill battle; there’s more than a few people wondering who they are or that they’ve never listened to a note before tonight. They’re a somewhat different prospect than LIZZY FARRALL before them; while there’s still a pop edge to their sound, they also draw on a smidgen of nu-metal (especially with vocalist Harmony Scott-Russell sporting chains between belt loops) and alt rock. The end result is eerily reminiscent of the early 2000’s pop-rock that saturated the radio waves, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s clearly the sort of sound that can fit into a whole myriad of lineups so while they’re not out of place here, they do feel the least unique. That’s not really important though, when the crowd response is as good as tonight, cheering, dancing and clapping in all the right moments. 

Rating: 7/10

There’s no denying who the stars of the show are, though. YOURS TRULY have only gone from strength to strength over the years, and tonight is an emphatic reminder of exactly why that is. There’s a false start thanks to a rogue punch thrown before ambient intro is this what i look like? can finish, but they take it in stride, and opener proper Hallucinate has the crowd singing along to its soaring chorus in unison. Despite all the difficulties they’ve faced to get here – not only on this tour – it never feels like a band giving anything other than their all, and then some. Bruises features a special guest appearance from Nick Baldenegro of YOUR MISERY and the chorus again sees huge singalongs that the band clearly revel in.

Heartsleeve is stripped back to just voice and guitar, as they relate how mic difficulties in Germany convinced them to do it this way; it’s an emotional high point to the set with more than a few damp eyes. Tonight is very much a landmark moment; their first ever London show was here opening for STATE CHAMPS yet tonight, they’re the headliners. The emotional connection forged through their heartfelt songs, lyrics and appreciation for their fans means the energy exchange between and and fans is palpable. It’s electrifying start to finish, the band beaming with delight, unable to stop expressing their gratitude throughout, and an elated crowd makes its way into the night after a short but emphatically brilliant set.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Ciara Wilkinson Media here: 

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