306. The Smyths: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [29.9.18]

29/09/201819/08/2019 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: The Smyths

Support: John Hunt

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 29.9.18

Fake is a four letter word: I don’t do tribute bands, unless they have an incredibly good reputation and there’s absolutely no hope of ever seeing the real thing. In this case I’d heard glowing reviews from friends who, like myself, grew up loving The Smiths and their melancholic melodies.

A great night of authentic sounding indie nostalgia as The Smyths worked their way though their namesakes’ back catalogue. The crowd embraced the band, reaching out with messiah like adulation to touch the hand of mock-Morrissey. Although the bass player with front-man syndrome should settle into the back-seat role of Andy Rourke or form his own Peter Hook tribute band.

304. Suede: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [22.9.18]

22/09/201804/11/2019 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Suede

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 22.9.18

The second of two exclusive performances to celebrate the launch of Suede’s latest album; The Blue Hour. The early show featured a selection of new songs, whereas this late show saw the band ‘shaking their bits to the hits’ as they performed their third album, Coming Up, in its entirety.

The set appropriately ended with Bret Anderson walking amongst the crowd for a rendition of Saturday Night.

Setlist: Trash / Filmstar / Lazy / By the Sea / She / Beautiful Ones / Starcrazy / Picnic by the Motorway / The Chemistry Between Us / Saturday Night

303. ShadowParty: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [10.9.18]

10/09/201824/08/2019 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: ShadowParty

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 10.9.18

ShadowParty’s USP is that each member of the group is a latter-day addition to an existing well-known band, including New Order and Devo.

287. From The Jam: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [17.5.18]

17/05/201829/05/2019 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: From The Jam

Support: Steve Cradock

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 17.5.18

A potentially great gig, spoiled by an appalling crowd who talked loudly throughout Steve & Sally Cradock’s acoustic support set and then continued to drunkenly chat and chant lyrics over Foxton & Hasting’s acoustic reworkings of The Jam classics.

This is the only occasion on which I’ve walked out of a gig at the usually exemplary Brudenell Social Club.

Gig culture is changing for the worse. People need to shut the f*ck up and watch the band, or piss-off to the pub for a chat, so those of us who want to hear the gig can do so.

286. Wolfgang Flür: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [12.5.18]

12/05/201812/04/2022 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Wolfgang Flür

Support: Peter Duugal / Virginia Wing & XAM Duo

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 12.5.18

Chances to see Kraftwerk live are few and far between and tickets are ever illusive – so the opportunity to see one of their key former members (1973 – 1989) was not to be missed.

At 71 years of age, Wolfgang Flür was no doubt the oldest and savviest guy in the room as he performed reworked versions of classic Kraftwerk tunes along with new material.

260. The Sugarhill Gang & Grandmaster’s Furious 5 feat. Melle Mel & Scorpio: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [4.6.17]

04/06/201702/04/2018 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: The Sugarhill Gang & Grandmaster’s Furious 5 feat. Melle Mel & Scorpio

Support: The Winachi Tribe

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 4.6.17

The return of the ‘old skool’ hip hop masters to the Brudenell ghetto. Step Off!

240. Carefree Sud [CUD]: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [17.8.16]

17/08/201611/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Carefree Sud [CUD]

Support: Tom Hingley / Suzy Blu

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 17.8.16

Carl Puttnam and Mike Dunphy from CUD, performed a stripped-down set of their band’s classic songs, under their alter-ego ‘Carefree Sud’. The venue was set-out in a fitting cabaret style, with tables and chairs and an alternative air of sophistication. However, the inevitable CUD stage invasion still occurred.

Former Inspiral Carpets singer, Tom Hingley, performed a brilliant acoustic set, including ‘unplugged’ versions of his former band’s hits.

234. Easy Star All-Stars: Brudenell Social Club [17.7.16]

17/07/201609/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Easy Star All-Stars

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 17.7.16

Easy Star All-Stars celebrated the 10th anniversary of their ‘Radiodread’ album – a sublime take on Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’. An ingenious adaptation of a virtually untouchable album.

After almost 30 years and over 230 gigs, I finally got the illusive no.1 ticket!

232. Ultimate Bowie: Brudenell Social Club [3.6.16]

03/06/201609/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Ultimate Bowie

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 3.6.16

Having never seen the legend himself (massive regret), this gig was a poignant tribute to David Bowie, who died 6 months previously.

Ed Blaney and the band played two tribute sets, the first being a recreation of the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album, followed by a selection greatest hits from the rest of Bowie’s repertoire; from Berlin to ‘Blackstar’.

A talented group of musicians, who performed an accurate and fitting tribute show – although in my opinion, the fancy dress (Bowie costumes from various eras) wasn’t really required.

222. The Sugarhill Gang & Grandmaster’s Furious 5 feat. Melle Mel & Scorpio: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [29.7.15]

29/07/201509/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: The Sugarhill Gang & Grandmaster’s Furious 5 feat. Melle Mel & Scorpio

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 29.7.15

“Hotel, motel, social club, say whaaaaat?”

I still find it hard to believe that this actually happened. Announced just one day before the event (hence the hand written ticket), the legendary hip-hop crew brought their old-school ghetto sounds to the mean streets of LS6.

To fans’ delight, the rappers were touring the UK in support of Speak to the Streets; a youth work organisation specializing in working with 11 to 19 year olds, to try and provide alternatives to gang activity as a way of life.

Look at the ticket price! (£5). This clearly wasn’t about making money – but the chance to create a truly memorable evening. Without doubt the best fiver I have ever spent.

An evening of authentic and seminal hip-hop tracks. The encore of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ brought the house down!

218. Adam Ant: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [22.4.15]

22/04/201527/11/2018 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: Adam Ant

Support: Shooze

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 22.4.15

A special night indeed, as a rejuvenated Adam Ant took to the stage at Brudenell Social Club, to perform ‘Dirk Wears White Sox’ (the first album by Adam & The Ants). The classic set was complemented by Ant anecdotes of the early punk era.

211. The Charlatans: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [11.7.14]

11/07/201406/05/2019 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: The Charlatans

Support: Albert Albert

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 11.7.14

One of my favourite ever gigs at Brudenell Social Club, saw The Charlatans fill the intimate venue with their mighty hammond/rock sound and a plethora of indie anthems.

The gig was announced via social media, on a first-come, first-served basis, to avoid touts getting their greedy hands on the precious tickets. I immediately dropped what I was doing and raced down to the club. As I left with a pair of tickets in my hand, there were people literally running towards the venue from all directions.

Charlatans Pizza and Tim Peaks Coffee were served from vans outside the venue (see menu below). Totes Amazeballs!

Inside the club, the sellout crowd sweltered in the summer evening heat, as Tim Burgess and The Charlatans delivered a blazing set of classic tunes spanning the previous 24 years, still sounding as fresh as ever.

Setlist: You Cross My Path / Then / Oh Vanity / Autograph / Can’t Get Out of Bed / Jesus Hairdo / Tellin’ Stories / North Country Boy / Soul Saver / Just When You’re Thinking Things Over / Bird / Weirdo / Toothache / Baby Huey / This is the End / One to Another // How High / Sproston Green.

202. IntroducingLive: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [19.7.13]

19/07/201309/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: IntroducingLive

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 19.7.13

IntroducingLive Recreate Discovery 100% Live: A talented group of musicians who specialise in recreating sampled and electronic albums live; in this case Daft Punk’s Discovery.

A fun gig, and the chance to hear a live version of an album that is otherwise unlikely to be performed in its entirety. Very clever indeed!

Guest list tickets, courtesy of Brudenell Social Club.

195. From The Jam: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [17.8.12]

17/08/201209/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: From The Jam

Support: The Reacharounds / The Finnlys

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 17.8.12

190. The Selecter: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds [23.3.12]

23/03/201209/04/2017 ~ colgriff ~ Leave a comment

Artist: The Selecter

Support: Bad Transmission

Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Date: 23.3.12

Pauline Black was as sumptuous, stylish and spirited as ever, as The Selecter skanked their way through a set of ska classics and new material, on their ‘Made in Britain’ tour.

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