Twin Atlantic/Midnight Ambulance - Welly - Hull - 23/11/2023

Local “legendary” nightclub, the Welly was the fitting host of Scottish indie rockers – Twin Atlantic, bringing them with them all the nostalgia of their 15 year back catalogue and a sprinkling of new music – on date 9 of their 12 date intimate tour of the UK.

Welly is not unfamiliar with hosting many acts, with the venue seemingly becoming more and more popular with some top acts….. and from visiting on this occasion, it does exactly what you want from a live music venue.

There are definitely no frills….. Welly has all the characteristics and historical charms of a well frequented venue… an unassuming entrance, rooms pocketed in different corners, darkness cowering over the small unfussy corridors….. leading up to Welly one – the innermost space within the hub of the nightclub.

An intimate setting for certain, the room offered a small bar nestled in the corner with a compact stage at the opposite end – barely 15 steps to the front of the stage with beer in hand.

The opportunity to be this close to acts, offering an up-close opportunity to see them live is special from a band who can be more frequently found playing at the bigger venues.

15 years on the circuit….Twin Atlantic lead singer Sam jested – as he forgot what night it was…. and that 15 years is quite the contrasting length of time that the support act have been together….. MIDNIGHT AMBULANCE

I must admit, I had no expectation of what was to come… with Twin Atlantic selecting various lesser known supports for this tour…… and it was the opportunity for the two piece band, hailing from north of the border who took their opportunity with both hands.

Opening up with a track called Smoke and Sweets, lead singer, Amelia, virtually all in darkness delicately pouring our haunting vocals, accompanied by the guitarist, Fraser using his guitar as a percussion instrument, rhythmically clattering his hand on the base of his guitar, adding further to the mood.

The sense of intrigue and a rise smile of approval became evident as midway through the first track, the singer gently made her way over to the drum kit, adorned in glorious artwork and clattered them so hard, spiralling the song on its head and exploding into a huge crescendo.

The rest of the set followed in a comparable moody and commanding manner. Songs smouldered, menacingly roaming their way through and craft fully combining power and peace to create beautiful music.

Vocals pierced through the music with carefully and coordinated lighting, enhancing the experience. At the end of a song, it took a small glance around to remember you were actually in a nightclub in Hull, with such the ability of the songs to completely engross you.

It was credit to the band that there was a pretty decent turnout at the start of their set, but for those who came in midway through, they came and joined others in the outstanding display that was on show.

For only two people on stage, the noise that they made, the carefully crafted songs and atmosphere they created was special and could so easily themselves have been the headliners.

7 songs were unleashed on us and hopefully many more opportunities come up for us and many others to see them live. It will be very much worth it.

Twin Atlantic, however were the main act, gracing Hull for the first time since a support slot at the Bonus arena with Catfish and the Bottlemen in 2019 and a further 2 years before that when they headlined a tour in the City – playing at The University. Welly was due to host this gig but was moved to the bigger host on this occasion. But tonight, it was the turn of Welly to host the intimate show.

And intimate it was. A few hundred or so people were present in the room to watch the 4-piece band power through their set… barely taking a pause throughout.

Twin Atlantic have taken their fans on a diverse musical journey over the years…. a huge mash up of directions, styles and sounds have produced a vast and varied back catalogue.

This tour, following on the back of the recently released single – Stuck in a car with you, took in many places and venues in the UK that you would not expect to see on a bands tour schedule. But grateful as those who got the opportunity to see them, were even more delighted that this set was full of all the songs you would expect to hear…..and want to hear. Free, Brothers & Sisters, Heart and Soul, No sleep….. it was packed with them all.

The set did open with new track….Stuck in a Car with you and seemed like a throwback to their earlier sound and kicked off the set perfectly. Further early released tracks were also played and made a surprise addition to the night… Edit me and What is Light? Where is Laughter? gave a real view of their history on what is hoped to be the start of a new venture, embarking on album number 7 which is hoped to be released soon.

The band, tightly packed onto the confined stage, blasted through their set, splatters of jokes and quips with the crowd, who for a Thursday night were seemingly controlled for the early parts of the set. It was however the performance of Crash Land, delicately and emotionally played acoustically that the crowd clicked into action and warmed up their vocals….. fondly singing along with the lead singer, Sam.

And it was from that point that the band notched it up a gear or two and tore into Brothers & Sisters, Barcelona, the massive… No Sleep and the powerhouse…. Heart and Soul.

It was a mammoth ending for the tiny venue and showed that after all these years, Twin Atlantic are still here, remain a wonderful live act and will continue to create new music that fans want to hear.

LGR x