It was a cool northern air that blew a lot of people into the Brudenell, but even they can’t have expected the heat that the 3 headline-level bands generated over the course of the ensuing 3 hours.
Monakis lit the fire with their brand of grunge-punk, rattling through their catalogue with an intensity and energy that didn’t let up for the rest of the night. Hailing from Brighton, they’re in the early throes of what looks to be an exciting foray into the rock world, and although they’ve just had a handful of singles drop so far, they were an accomplished sight on the fabled Leeds stage. Their first EP, slated for release in July is produced by Kid Kapichi’s Ben Beetham, and will be one to look forward to.
Snayx? Well…Charlie (vocals), Ollie (bass and vocals) and Lainey (drums) took it up another level with a trademark performance full of posturing, demonic attitude and explosively aggressive guitar riffs. The sold out crowd were as much here for Snayx as they were they headline act, and the reaction they gave the band stoked the flames of an increasingly dynamic night. New single I’m Deranged with its lyrics fighting back against the social conformity that suppresses individuality set a tone of socially conscious and confrontational punk that followed through into the new tune Boys In Blue. From first crushing bass chord to last though, this was a tour de force that turned the Brudenell into a hot mess of sweaty mosh pits.
Both supports left a febrile atmosphere for Kid Kapichi to jump on and the headliners completed the calefaction with a high octane hour-and-a-bit of ferocity that didn’t let the crowd rest. Primarily in support of new album Here’s What You Could Have Won the refrain from the opener – “round and round and it never stops” – could just as easily apply to the relentless pace of this Tuesday night as much as the social treadmill they’re describing and challenging in much of their work.
Eddie Lewis’ shuddering basslines and George Macdonald’s driving beats hold together the huge personalities of Ben Beetham on guitar and Jack Wilson up front on vocals so that the hooks and riffs land with a carefully crafted precision. The lyrics are angry and purposeful, continuing a theme of socially conscious punk that’s permeated the night. Songs like New England, Cops & Robbers and I.N.V.U all taking on a different target of social injustice and inequality, while Party at No. 10 takes a tongue-in-cheek (but no less angry) stab at the lockdown shenanigans in Downing Street.
Favourites like Glitterati and Violence intersperse the music from the new album, and when Smash the Gaff kicks off the encore you can feel the fervour with which this crowd follows Kid Kapichi, culminating in what the band genuinely feel has been the best show of the tour.
The place is bouncing at the end of the night – people are slow to leave, catching their breath after a relentless few hours and reveling the afterglow.
So, Here’s What You Could Have Won?
It was pretty clear after tonight: everyone who turns up to see Kid Kapichi goes home a winner.
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