BIG SPECIAL - The Key Club - Leeds

Just days ahead of the release of Big Special's debut album, POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES, I headed down to the Key Club in Leeds to catch the second date of their massive UK and Ireland tour.

Tonight's support came from Kez, and Gans, Two brilliant bands who very much set the pace for tonight's incredible performance.

The Black Country Duo took to the Leeds Stage adorning bejewelled cowboy hats and bandanas, wielding Bananas in hand, I wondered if I'd accidentally come to see Orville Peck for a moment, but was quickly reminded not by the opening of Black Country Gothic.

Trees saw Joe and Callum venture into the thick of the crowd, armed with Microphones and a single cymbal, followed by lots of hugs and handshakes, just further showing what I have come to see this band is about, togetherness and openness. A large focus of the new album sees Joe discuss both his and the world's mental health struggles, and their live shows seem to accentuate this, championing openness.

Photo: James Keane - @jameskeanephoto

I felt in a very privileged position this evening, not just from getting to see one of the best live acts around at the moment, in such a small sweaty venue, but also having had the chance to listen to and take in the miraculous album a few weeks early before its release this Friday. Drummer

Callum Moloney warned the Leeds crowd that many of the songs were thus far unreleased, but that didn't seem to damper anyone's enjoyment of the evening.

If I can give anyone a bit of advice, it'd be to go see this band as soon as possible, they won't be playing venues of this size for much longer.

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BIG SPECIAL - The Key Club - Leeds - Setlist