O2 Academy, Leeds
Two fantastic support acts in Ed Cosens, and Cruel Hearts Club.
One of Ed Cosens first outings as a solo artist, after recently coming off tour with Reverend and the Makers. Ed's solo work is outstanding, and change of pace from the lively bangers he'd recently been rocking out on lead guitar. This time Ed takes up a acoustic guitar to deliver his semi-autobiographical melody. Immediately i'm drawn in, forgetting i've three songs to capture some images, i'm stuck on the hook listening to each word delivered. Since the gig Ed has gone onto release Fortunes Favour, which is a great album to sit back and chill out too.
Following Ed Cosens came the Cruel Hearts Club, fuck me what a band to get the crowd warmed up for The Libertines. Edie Langley embodies all that is grunge, beautifully delivering a high energy set of great songs, along with her sister Gita. On the penultimate song the band slow things down to allow the crowd to catch breath, before delivering a powerful ending. These are exactly why you always arrive for the support, not only do you get your monies worth, you'll often find a great new band to follow. Sara Leigh Shaw of the Pearl Harts did a fantastic job of covering for their drummer Gabi Woo
After the Cruel Hearts Club, the crowd was pumped and the venue was packed to the rafters waiting on The Libertines to take to the stages, be it somewhat delayed, not down to the band antics, but an over excited fan who'd been enjoying the day a little too much vomiting upfront. Cleaners on hand the band was ready to make their entrance.
Pete, Carl, Gary, and John cracked right on opening up with their crowd pleasing indie anthems. Since they formed in 1997, which seems a good while back now, The Libertines have aged like a fine wine. No drama just great music delivered to a floor bouncing crowd. Hot sweaty and sticky, just as all great rock gigs should be. As the gig goes on, Carl plays to Leeds the crowd chanting 'Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire' which the Leeds crowd oblige returning chant. The gig ends with the excellent 'Don't Look Back into the Sun', and all exit still buzzing.
The Delaney
Heart of the Matter
Horrorshow
Barbarians
Fame and Fortune
Boys in the Band
You're My Waterloo
The Saga
Vertigo
Can't Stand Me Now
Last Post on the Bugle
The Ha Ha Wall
Dead for Love
Gunga Din
Bucket Shop
What Became of the Likely Lads
Death on the Stairs
Time for Heroes
Music When the Lights Go Out
What Katie Did
Up the Bracket
The Good Old Days
Don't Look Back Into the Sun