Nothing but Thieves have seen a spectacular rise in the last year or so. Having followed them from many years back in the early album phase, the popularity and scale of the following, coupled with the size of venues along with the sheer number of gigs they are playing.
This current album tour (Welcome to the DCC) has seen them travel all over the world, high profile support slots with Green Day at Wembley Stadium along with all the big festivals, with today’s gig being the final album gig of their tour.
The venue for tonight’s gig was Millennium Square in Leeds City Centre. Not the first time I have seen a gig here… having been to Slam Dunk festival a fair few years back….. but what a superb venue it was.
Nestled between the bustling streets of Leeds City Centre, Millennium Square is ordinarily a vast open outdoor space, aligned with seating in what is a superb and vibrant city. Tonight, it had been transformed into a superb venue to watch live music and was the opening night of the Square’s Summer Series 2024 which will see the venue also host Manic Street Preachers, Tom Grennan and Busted amongst others.
The venue deserves a further nod on the following aspects and have clearly taken notes from other similar venues…..
Access – simple customary searches and ticket checks allowed for a swift entrance
Bars – 2 huge bars, snaking queening system, bucketloads of bar staff = no waits for beers
Toilets – They appeared to be loads of them and were located at the back of the venue out the way of the general stage area
Sound – For an outdoor gig, the worry is the sound of the band is “lost” – no such worries here
Atmosphere – It was spot on. For a Wednesday night, most seemed up for it and the natural sloping floor allowed for those further back the ability to see just fine
The gig itself kicked off with punk rock back BAD NERVES as support. A quirky and powerful set from the 5 piece who did a sterling job in entertaining the already pretty full venue…. playing their way through an energetic display and interacting with the crowd brilliantly. They clearly brought some of their fans with them….. and no doubt made some more after a fine set.
They were a great choice of band to support and have done so with Nothing but thieves on their current European tour.
They also took the glaring opportunity to promote their upcoming gig in Leeds at the Key Club on 18th Dec 24…..and with tickets still available, it is well worth checking them out.
But on to the headliners…. Nothing but Thieves. Now onto album number 4 and made up of Conor Mason, Joe Langridge-Brown, Dominic Craik, Philip Blake and James Price. They formed in Southend-on-Sea and have been releasing a huge amount of music, perhaps summarised as diverse pop/rock…. and ranges from full on heavy guitar anthems to delicate and emotive ballads. All of which are led by the diminutive and hugely charismatic, style laden front man…. Conor.
The most notable thing about him is his outstanding and stunning voice. His ability to blast out some of the notes he hits and ability to blend his voice to the various sounds the band produce is pretty incredible. (please read my review on Nothing but Thieves acoustic show I have reviewed at the following link https://free-3890854.webador.co.uk/1459774_nothing-but-thieves-project-house-leeds-09-08-2023)
His vocals are unquestionably astounding, but it is by no means the only talent in the band. All members are equally as gifted in what they do. Their ability to create music and ultimately transform albums into a live arena is exactly what we were all there for on the night.
Here, they opened up with Oh No::He Said what? from the current album and went on to perform another 6 songs from Welcome to the DCC.
They blended these with songs splattered from Moral Panic Et al and superbly took on the Pixies Where is my Mind?..… of which Conor’s voice nailed it. The vocals were haunting and piercing, bringing a new sense of mood to the song and was an outstanding addition.
It then came to the crowd favourite and one that can never be missed off a Nothing but Thieves gig – Amsterdam…. which caused an enormous frenzy and led to numerous mosh pits appearing in the crowd.
It was then onto the final two songs, I’m not made by design and Overcome for the encore that ultimately closed the 19 song, 1.5 hour set list beautifully.
It would be understandable that the massive journey and tour that has surrounded Welcome to the DCC would have created some weariness for the band, but the performances on this night were all as energetic and full of smiles and happiness as you would hope to see. It was a great event, a fantastic gig and leads to the question of how is it possible for the band to top this worldwide success for future albums?
One thing for sure is that there will be plenty of support for whatever they plan to do.
LGR x
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