Ought, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
- Published in Live
Tonight sees one of the most exciting bands of the year making their way in to arguably the best venue in the UK. With a stacked support line-up there’s plenty for us to get stuck into this evening. Chaika are up first, hailing from Leeds they set the tempo with driving guitar riffs, and an overall anthemic sound.
Chaika are a pretty interesting prospect and they have an excellent stage presence, with a charismatic front-man and ample backing. However, they’re lacking something that the other bands on the line-up tonight posses, though that said, we’re almost certain that this isn’t the last we shall hear or see of Chaika.
Next up are some other Leeds natives, Bearfoot Beware. They really are awesome, with their huge sound, they storm the stage in visceral fashion. Screeching their way through their set, their sheer energy raises the roof on the Brudenell tonight and we're completely aback. There’s a true power here, which was perhaps lacking in Chaika’s set.
Ought take to the stage pretty soon after, and immediately we notice front man Tim taking his shoes off before launching into the set. From the off there’s an excited atmosphere filling the room, as the band set about their business of thrilling us all, though for a band with one of the albums of the year though this isn’t that much of a difficult prospect.
Tracks like ‘Pleasant Heart’ speak for themselves, whilst Tim’s delivery is spellbinding as he dances and croons. The crowd in complete awe of him, their angular indie rock providing perfectly danceable grooves throughout, if anything its difficult to prevent us from staying still.
Yet tracks like ‘Forgiveness’ project a whole different vibe, Tim’s vocals taking the key role with minimalist music. The whole feeling of the set is somewhat shambolic, yet that endears us to the band even more. They have a limited repertoire but this is often for the best, a short sharp stab without spinning things out.
Ought fly through their set with effortless ease. There’s intensity, a purposeful looseness and a phenomenally charismatic lead singer, overall culminating in a brilliant set. The band close out with the phenomenally ramshackle 'Gemini', though as they attempt to leave the stage the crowd chant and they’re forced to stay and play as yet unreleased track ‘Beautiful Blue Skies.’
This evening has proven why Ought are hotly tipped for big things, with their truly endearing behaviour and exciting performance, it’ll not be long before everyone is humming ‘Beautiful Blue Skies’ on their morning commute.
