Published in BabMag, Birmingham Review, Exposed Magazine, Independent, Indy100, Listening Party, MailOnline, Metro, Now Then Magazine, NY Post, Rock N Roll Reports, Square One Magazine, The Daily Mirror, The New Age Magazine, The Scottish Sun, The Sheffield Tab, The Sun and The Tab.
This is a portfolio of my entire career in journalism so far, containing live music reviews, album / single / EP reviews, opinion pieces, news articles and features.
The Revival of Vinyl: Shaking Up the Industry [Guest Column]
There are seven factors that contribute to the renaissance of the warm vinyl sounds.
Editor’s note: This is a guest story by Laura Mills, a music journalist and reviewer. Laura’s stories were published in Independent, Metro, NY Post, The Daily Mirror, The Sun and other outlets.
Over the past decade, we have seen the revival of vinyl record sales across the entire globe, with the vinyl market in 2023 experiencing much stronger growth, with an 11.7% year-on-year rise to 5.9 million units. Streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify may be leading the way in terms of recorded music consumption, but demand for vinyl records continues to surge, with the market at its highest annual level since 1990. For artists and record companies alike, this is a time for celebration and to rejoice. However, for consumers, the question still lies of why exactly the demand for vinyl records has increased.
To identify exactly why the rise in vinyl sales has occurred, it is essential to break this down into seven points. These include sound quality, collectability, design, nostalgia, support for artists, discovery and social aspect. A lot of these points overlap but each is key in understanding where the revival of vinyl has come from.
It is important to state that internationally within vinyl sales the genre purchased reflects the chart rankings and popular music. In the US, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has been at the top of the vinyl charts for the past two years with her albums ‘Midnights’ and ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’. Over the past decade, the US has seen many pop acts such as Harry Styles and Daft Punk storm the chart sales. Some of this also crosses over the pond into the UK market but it is key to highlight within the UK vinyl charts many rock-based acts like Liam Gallagher, Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles have also found success in vinyl sales.
This leads on to the idea of nostalgia as a ripple effect on vinyl sales, arguably the most influential factor on this list. It is a very simple factor, people love to reminisce about how they felt, where they were, or even who they were with when they hear a specific song, or even an album. Listening to a vinyl record is a much more special and romantic experience than merely listening to something digitally or on a CD. This may suggest why the UK has seen a rise in rock albums purchased on vinyl despite being made decades ago.
Similarly, it is key to identify how nostalgia plays a huge role in the choices we make in today’s society, and being able to buy a piece of music that looks like it’s from a time when things were simpler, and when more care and attention to detail was put into its manufacture can be incredibly powerful for music lovers and listeners. Leading on to the social aspect, people love listening to music together regardless of what format it’s in, but the art of sharing physical music with other people is only getting stronger. Many users display and showcase their collections in order to share them with others, and this in itself can spark up a conversation and lead to the idea of a new musical discovery.
This also links into the idea of collectability, for example, if a listener has a copy of the standard release, or a multi-coloured rare special release. Both of these reflect the record’s collectability. Similarly, this links into the idea of design as finding a beloved record can be a powerful experience and the artwork plays a vital role when setting off these emotions. Equally, how old a record is also defining collectability and could suggest why older records are being purchased more on vinyl.
Sound quality is one of the most interesting factors when it comes to the rise in vinyl sales as generally streaming a track in digital form will make the quality much better. Vinyl has a dynamic range of 55-70dB depending on the length of the side. Digital music, on the other hand, can go up to 90-96dB. Likewise, digital audio can also reproduce very low-level sound due to its lack of underlying distortion. However, this does not seem to defer consumers when purchasing vinyls.
It has been suggested that listening to a record on vinyl is playing it the way the artists intended and that those little imperfections within the audio add to the experience, rather than listening to a digital version which is polished and pristine. Many music fans take the stance that warm tones of a vinyl record are superior to an electronically, remastered digital equivalent, particularly for music released prior to the millennium.
It is key to highlight the most positive part of the vinyl revival is the support for artists. Research shows that according to traditional recording agreements artists can earn anywhere between an average of 10%-25% on retail price on individual vinyl sales. Comparing this with digital formats, artists are paid an average of between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream – so it would require listeners in their millions for it to actually become a viable source of income for them. It is commonly known that the streaming rate for artists around the world is so low, which may suggest why the sales for vinyls have increased as fans want to show their support.
Despite these points, the revival of the vinyl industry has its downsides. As the profitability of vinyl rises, associated pollution risks also spike. A vinyl record’s main component is the plastic polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, derived from petrochemicals like natural gas, which emit large amounts of greenhouse gases. However, producers are experimenting to find a way of producing vinyls that are much less carbon intensive.
Artists may also see more support and profit when vinyl purchasing increases; however, it can be up to a year turnaround for the copies rather than uploading to a streaming site therefore, this can delay release dates. This creates a two-tier divide, with the biggest artists able to produce thousands of copies while upcoming artists may struggle with these delays, or unable to fund producing on vinyl altogether.
Whatever way you consume music, it is impossible to hide from the revival of vinyl that has been highlighted in the industry. It is clear there are still issues that need to be tackled before we can fully celebrate the return of vinyls, but with producers looking to create more environmentally safe records: the celebration of vinyl is on the horizon.
Words by Laura Mills
Casual Healing – Up and Down
Written By Laura Mills (10/3/24)
Photographs by Francesca Sewell
On March 8th, Casual Healing, aka Nikau Te Huki, released the fourth single titled ‘Up & Down’ from his debut album ‘DRIFTWOOD’ which will be released in April.
Through his music, Casual Healing urges life lessons of aroha, peace and harmony through powerful lyrical scribe woven into smooth reggae soul rhythm, and this song demonstrates this perfectly.
This song’s roots, rock, and reggae fusion instantly earns it the status of a classic; with its creamy chorus-drenched guitar and punchy-crunchy tape-sounding drums, ‘Up and Down’ has Casual Healing’s signature style and trademark written all over it.
The sound of Casual Healing is impeccably paired with Te Huki’s boyish charisma and endowed with the power and sense of meaningful dialogue that can only originate from a seasoned mind.
Listening to this track is pure escapism; leaving us feeling like we’re drifting through an alternate universe where the grass is always greener. He fondly refers to ‘Up and Down’ as his “golden child”, with an upbeat, melancholic anthem taking us through the highs and lows of the human experience. In this track, Casual Healing shares a story of life to uplift, inspire and call out those elements of life that we all battle with, referencing childhood simplicity, reminiscence and freedom.
Casual Healing shares a flawless and robust message, reminding humanity that hitting rock bottom and reaching new heights are all part of our emotional holistic pilgrimage. A message we all welcome and receive with open arms.
In April 2024, Casual Healing will release his debut album ‘DRIFTWOOD’ which showcases four years of Nikau’s most personal and intimate recordings compiled into a collection of Soul, Folk, Hip-Hop, Dub, Trap, R&B and Marae-style track.
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude To Ecstasy
Written By Laura Mills (1/3/24)
The Last Dinner Party which appear to be 2024’s biggest rock band so far released their debut album last month and the reaction from UK’s music industry has been unprecedented.
“We imagined the kind of joyful act we’d want to see when we go out, and created our own ‘dream band’ from that” vocalist Abigail Morris told NME last year, and the band have done just that.
Similarly, to the swift arrival of Wet Leg, TLDP have hastily broken through with online discourse, especially on TikTok, discussing the bands unique style, distinctive appearance and idiosyncratic sound.
It is important to remember that we are only less than a year on since the band released their biggest hit single so far ‘Nothing Matters’ which went viral online, especially earlier this year, and is arguably the rocket which launched The Last Dinner Party’s current fame and success.
This single also features on their debut record, a rock song with gritty, powerful lyrics “And you can hold me like he held her / And I will fuck you like nothing matters” presenting their evident glam rock influences from artists like the late, great David Bowie.
Prelude to Ecstasy kicks off with the title track, a song which is heightened with drama and intensity, with elements of the classical genre and the influence of Kate Bush soaring through while showcasing how much this band have to offer.
These elements of drama continue into the next track ‘Burn Alive’ surfacing with a bellowing beat of a drum that continues throughout the track. This works perfectly contrasting with Morris’s sweet vocals while displaying a melodic assurance and ability.
Even into track three ‘Caesar on a TV Screen’ we feel this bands historic influences, presented mostly through their style of appearance but with a sleek touch of groove and swagger through their experimental riffs and pristine layering.
Like previous bands who have celebrated so early in their careers, The Last Dinner Party have been branded by some critiques as ‘Industry Puppets’. Whether this is your take or not, one cannot deny that their music is something to be considered fresh, rare and eccentric in a sea of the same old regurgitated, mainstream and auto-tuned hits generally found in today’s music.
The Vaccines @ Octagon Centre
LAURA MILLS
on 21st February 2024 at 4:14 pm
Mondays can often bring about a sense of dread and woe to the majority of us, but this week one band transported us to a place filled with joy through a night of marvellous music.
Arriving at the Octagon Centre for the first time, there is a clear sense of excitement in the air as the crowd eagerly wait for The Vaccines to grace the stage.
As the tension rises, so does the atmosphere as the lights lower and we finally catch a glimpse of one of indie’s most renowned frontmen, Justin Hayward-Young.
The Vaccines kick off one of their final sets of this tour with ‘Love to Walk Away’ followed by launching into one of their oldest and dearest songs ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’.
Working through the setlist the band treated us to old favourites and more recent classics including ‘I Can’t Quit’, ‘Post Break-Up Sex’ and ‘Your Love Is My Favourite Band’.
Hayward-Young has a sense of authority and an ingrained air of confidence, strutting up and down the stage wearing a white shirt and eyes covered by dark shades.
Likewise, the band are showcasing their range tonight switching up between gruelling riffs and a clashing beat of the drums to chords which are much more stripped back, creating a slightly more melancholic sound while connecting the entire band.
The crowd lap up each song coming thick and fast, singing along with the band while swigging back their pints, arm in arm with their nearest and dearest.
Launching into ‘Headphones Baby’, arguably one of my favourite songs ever, the fans continue to charge on with the electric ambience as they belt out: “Headphones baby / Headphones baby / And I wanna die together like we’re movie stars” along with Justin.
More iconic tracks hurtle our way through ‘Handsome’, ‘Teenage Icon’ and ‘If You Wanna’, finishing off a flawless Steel City set with ‘All My Friends Are Falling In Love’ with Justin exiting before finally closing the set on ‘Nørgaard’.
Review: Sundara Karma @ Leadmill
on 11th December 2023 at 2:55 pm
Words: Laura Mills
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
A wet Monday night down at the mill – the weather is cold but the temperature is heating up from the tension rising up through the crowd.
After four years Sundara Karma are now ready to play another gig in the Steel City and the lot of us’ are absolutely buzzing.
The band kick off their set with the iconic ‘She Said’ and this Monday crowd lap it up. Everyone in the room is singing their hearts out to “She said I don’t wanna go out chasing / I kinda wanna go out dancing” as Oscar belts out those velvety vocals which leave our ears begging for more.
The atmosphere is electric but even more electrifying is the guitar solo in this track riffs and chords whirling around our minds like a daydream. Likewise, Oscar’s stripped back vocals even though for a few mere seconds make their mark on the evening as a firm favourite of mine.
As we move further into the set, we say hello to two newer tracks in the form of ‘Baby Blue’ and ‘Miss Again’. The crowd interaction and eye contact from the band is pristine, it’s what Sundara Karma do best – they put on a f**cking show.
With the energy levels rising through Leadmill’s roof Oscar continues luring his crowd into going crazier and crazier by getting closer to the crowd until he’s almost part of these adoring fans sending everyone into absolute mayhem.
The band are on fine form tonight looking sharp in sleek black leather with an air of swagger pulsating off them as they perform to their fans.
We move through the set list stopping at the ultra-groovy with unbelievable funky riffs ‘Illusions’ into ‘Friends of Mine’ as the crowd’s reaction gets more immense.
As we hit the fan favourite the bouncing starts, from ‘A Young Understanding’, ‘Loveblood’ and ‘Olympia’. This Leadmill crowd simply cannot get enough as we move through amazing bridges, Bowie-like vocals and immense instrumentals.
Moving through the set list we finally we reach our last track of the night. We all knew it was coming, we did; it was evitable, but when Sundara Karma launch into ‘Flame’ the moment is so sweet, so tremendous and so beautiful.
The crowd go wild; whatever is left of their Red Stripes is now in the air or in someone’s hair but I don’t think one sole in the room cares.
What a night, what a band. Sundara Karma we bloody love you!
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-prison-housed-eastenders-dirty-31634823
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/christmas-themed-coke-can-sale-31600675
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/people-left-red-faced-after-31591452
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/worlds-most-expensive-bottle-whiskey-31517619
NEW EP RELEASE – HotWax ‘Invite me, kindly’
10.11.23
Words by Laura Mills
HotWax’s ‘Invite me, kindly’ takes you on a journey of rock and rebellion with gritty guitars and vivacious vocals.
East Sussex based, teenage punk powerhouses HotWax consisting of members Tallulah Sim-Savage, Lola Sam, and Alfie Sayers have released their second EP ‘Invite me, kindly’. The trio are currently on tour with Royal Blood touring around the United States.
HotWax open their EP with ‘High Tea’ a single of clear energy and dominance. The song is centres around pushing away those doubts – no more ‘what if’ or ‘why’ and as those lyrics are belted out by Tallulah Sim-Savage listeners can almost feel hesitation being drawn out of the body and away from our minds. The track starts with choppy riffs guiding us to the chorus as the band give every last drop of energy into their instruments creating a sound that explodes but with a hint sleekness and precision. Organised chaos.
Following this powerful single, the next track on the EP is ‘Phone Machine’. It follows the same style of dominance outlined in the first track but the vocals feel less loud and more like a command we’re instructed to do. Through the whole track it’s impossible not to hear a similar sound to one created by Indie Legends Wolf Alice. In a statement vocalist Tallulah said “I felt I had lots of phrases saved up in my head that I couldn’t wait to put into my lyrics. The EP looks at themes of acceptance to people who have hurt you before, letting your doubts leave you and feeling free. Playing these songs live this summer has been so refreshing, I still feel so passionately about a lot of the lyrics, which makes it feel very therapeutic to perform.”
The outstanding factor of this bands EP is undoubtedly ‘Drop’. Guided by gruelling guitars and the constant beat of the drums marches listeners to the chorus, the delivery of these powerful vocals alongside the ferocious lyrics reinforces the bands message of sheer anger and enragement as Tallulah lets us have it belting out “Coz you’re angry then you’re not / Then I feel the tension drop / Then I’ll have it all for you /Yeah is that what humans do”.‘E Flat’ and ‘She don’t like it’ are also great additions to this EP showcasing this bands versatility and range with sections that are much softer and slower.
Our rock trio are currently enjoying their first ever shows in America supporting Royal Blood on tour and have two solo dates to play once this tour finishes in LA and New York. The band return back to their adoring UK crowds on December the 15th at De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea. https://thenewagemagazine.co.uk/?p=12472
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Picture Parlour ‘Judgement Day’
09.11.23
Words by Laura Mills
It’s almost impossible to believe that Picture Parlour have only officially released two singles as their sound suggests this is a band with tremendous ability and sheer confidence
They’ve supported Bruce Springsteen, played The Great Escape Festival, even bagging themselves a spot of the cover of NME and have just finished playing venues around the country supporting The Last Dinner Party which is rather impressive for a band who only released their first single back in July.
Following on from their debut of ‘Norwegian Wood’ a song the band have implied listeners should “Stream it, watch it, cry to it, scream with it, air guitar your way through the damn thing” have now hit us with ‘Judgement Day’ a love letter which is guaranteed to seduce listeners. In a statement the band said “It’s a love letter. It’s about being swept off your feet by someone you never expected to meet and surrendering to that all-consuming feeling. It’s a dramatic statement that on judgement day, at the end of time, you want to stand hand in hand with your lover.”
Arguably even better than their debut single, the track starts with a slow tempo instrumental luring listeners in and as we’re presented with Katherine Parlour’s raw, gritty vocals we’re seduced into a trap of our own making but it is so satisfying that we simply submit. It’s interesting to see this band present something slightly different to ‘Norwegian Wood’ in the respect their latest single has lyrics filled with passion and emotion, especially in the chorus ‘You look so divine like death in a lightning strike / Holy water drips down on me / And it tastes just like holy wine / How can I stay on my feet?’ paired with this intense, fiery delivery leave us begging and pleading for more.
Likewise, the breakdown section where these powerful guitars are played to create an electricity sound backed by the pounding beat of the drums transports listeners into an extraordinary atmosphere. It’s so clear through this track that their main influences include ‘Humbug’-era Arctic Monkeys and early St. Vincent. The single was produced by multi-award winning producer Catherine Marks who has worked with the likes of Wolf Alice, The Killers and Foals.
The band have two dates left to play this year including Pitchfork Festival and Great Escape First Fifty. Their next show in 2024 is alongside Black Honey and Kynsy at Leeds Beckett’s Student Union on 9th of February. https://thenewagemagazine.co.uk/?p=12211
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/horrified-social-media-users-say-31276620
https://www.the-sun.com/news/9376910/former-teacher-kids-school-live-off-grid/
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/burn-survivor-90-body-scarred-131887
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/24103626/husband-twice-age-mistake-daughter-defend-love/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/doctor-shares-grim-reason-you-30778114
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/my-face-entirely-melted-pub-30697554
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/balcony-grass-view-goes-sale-30602049
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/im-disabled-felt-intimated-primark-30477637
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-thrown-onto-bed-after-30457911
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/health-expert-shares-chilling-reason-30395690
REVIEW: Hozier @ O2 Academy
on 30th June 2023 at 11:32 am
Down at the O2 Academy, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air.
Despite it being a Wednesday mid-week show, the room is packed and the temperature is high.
I head to the bar for a refreshment in the form of an extortionately priced beer, and back into the crowd to swelter again.
Groups of friends, couples and family gather around waiting for the man with long hair and a beautiful voice; his name is Hozier.
He graces the stage and its immediately clear he’s got these fans in the palm of his hand.
Hozier kicks off this Sheffield set with ‘Eat Your Young’, one of his latest releases. It’s lapped up by the crowd who are singing alongside him throughout the entire track.
As we move through the set, we reach one of my personal favourite Hozier songs.
Next up it’s ‘Jackie and Wilson’.
As soon as the band begin to play, the crowd instantly recognises it. This one may be a little heavier rock-wise but that beautiful, signature Hozier voice runs through the track like fine wine.
His vocals never falter for a second; it’s just pure and utter joy hearing him sing.
The crowd can’t get enough as they belt out the chorus:
She’s gonna save me / Call me baby / Run her hands through my hair / She’ll know me crazy / Soothe me daily / Better yet, she wouldn’t care / We’ll steal her Lexus / Be detectives / Ride ’round picking up clues / We’ll name our children, Jackie and Wilson / Raise ’em on rhythm and blues.
However, it’s important to note how sublime his band are, too. They’re giving everything to their instruments and it’s paying off as they create these gorgeous melodies and rhythms.
As the night continues we’re treated to even more of Hozier with tracks like ‘To Be Alone’, ‘Cherry Wine’ and ‘Nobody’.
Moving through the set list I notice how united the fans of this crowd have become. Some may be friends, some may be strangers but it’s clear there’s so much love in the air as groups clasp together and belt out each song as a unit.
Next up, one of Hozier’s most popular tracks, ‘Someone New’.
Clearly a fan favourite as I look across the sea of bodies singing along to each word louder than any previous song.
Reaching towards the end of the set list, the moment many have been waiting for, the chart-topper, the signature Hozier song and arguable one of the most emotionally raw songs of the past decade; it’s ‘Take Me To Church’.
What a complete and utter f**cking moment watching Hozier sing this live, and I think a lot of others in the room have the same thought.
His voice has been amazing throughout this show but this really feels like something else, something extra; it’s Hozier’s moment to take the crowd and the limelight and own it.
He did just that, and then some.
As we reach the chorus, the crowd alongside our singer belt out the lyrics:
“Take me to church / I’ll worship like a edog at the shrine of your lies / I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife / Offer me that deathless death / Good God, let me give you my life”
Hozier finishes his steel city set with ‘Work Song’.
It feels bitter-sweet, it’s sad the show had to end but what a great show and surely one I’ll remember for life.
Thank you, Hozier.
LAURA MILLS
REVIEW: Circa Waves @ O2 Academy
on 19th June 2023 at 4:07 pm
It’s a Friday night in Sheffield down at the O2 Academy, the air is sticky and warm, but there’s a sense of excitement because the Liverpool legends Circa Waves are in town.
Off to a bar for a rather pricey pint, £7.20 for a pint of San Miguel, to be exact.
However, the cost of the drink is instantly numbed by our support act for the night in the form of Cassia.
Cassia kick of their Sheffield set with a range of summery, shimmery chords, perfect for this summer evening in June.
The band move through a range of their biggest hits like ‘Drifting’ and ‘100 Times Over’.
Watching the band, no one can help but dance and groove; they are arguably one of the best supporting acts I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing accomplishing their job by thoroughly warming up this weekend crowd.
Back to the bar for another pricey pint to keep hydrated in what currently feels like the world’s hottest room.
Returning back towards the stage, the lights lower, the room is packed, and the temperature rises even further.
Circa Waves grace the Steel City stage, met with a warm Yorkshire welcome.
The band kick off this set with one of their latest release’s ‘Never Going Under’.
It’s indie but heavier than some of their other tracks as the bands move relentless through the deep electric guitar riffs while the drums smash and clash guiding us through the song.
Photography: Sahar Ghadirian
The crowd lap up every second by throwing their pints and smashing into each other as they sing along to every line.
Up next is ‘Movies’.
As Kieran takes the lead on the vocals, the crowd follow alongside him as they belt “Yooooou / Meeeee / We’re stealing the show / We’re stealing the show.”
As the super show continues, we move through a whole host of bangers, including classics newer releases such as ‘Wake Up’, ‘Stuck In My Teeth’, ‘Sad Happy’ and ‘Do You Wanna Talk’.
For me personally, the most magical part of the show was when the band launched into ‘Move to San Franscisco’ from their 2020 album titled Sad Happy.
A song full of memories like sitting in the sun sippin’ in Lockdown and belting it out with my parents.
Absolutely pure joy and nostalgia.
The crowd lapped it belting out “I think that we should move to San Francisco / That’s where the happy people go / You say you wanna go to San Francisco / But I, I just don’t know”, along with Kieran who is giving it all to that mic.
Circa Waves continue to serve us an excellent performance and then some, playing even more bangers such as ‘Fire That Burns’, ‘Be Your Drug’ and ‘Jacqueline’.
The band exit the stage with a giant round of applause, but we know they’re not quite done yet.
Circa Waves return to the stage for the final time tonight to play their most renowned song ‘T-Shirt Weather’.
For one final hurrah pints launched to the sky, the crowd knock each other about while screaming out every single line.
My only critique about this night is the fact it had to end.
What a night, what a band.
LAURA MILLS
SAHAR GHADIRIAN
Review: Inhaler @ Leadmill
on 8th June 2023 at 12:10 pm
Queuing down Leadmill Road, there’s a sense of excitement in the cool Sheffield air, and I think it’s due to Inhaler coming to town.
Walk through the doors and straight to the bar for a Red Stripe ahead of the support acts performance.
Up first are Blondes, who come out ready and raring to go on this Tuesday night in The Leadmill. The band give everything throughout their performance thoroughly warming up this already ecstatic crowd. Blondes play us a whole host of their tracks, including their notably most popular song ‘Coming of Age’.
A small gap ahead of Inhaler’s performance means back to the bar. As I look around the crowd is growing larger and there’s definitely a buzz amongst the punters which is helped by a few bangers dropped by the DJ.
Lights lower and everyone steady’s themselves for Inhaler to grace the stage.
Inhaler, all the way from Dublin, Ireland, kick off their steel city set with ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’. I’ve seen this band before but as I’m watching them thrash their instruments there is a notable change in their performance and the confidence is pouring out of them.
Next up the band are playing ‘These Are The Days’. As we move through the sound of this track, there’s not a soul in the house who’s not singing along. Despite the confidence and stage swagger Inhaler are giving off, the band do have a bit of a mishap at the start of ‘Perfect Storm’ forcing them to restart this track again.
Even though not all went plain sailing at first, the band make up for that while performing this song. Each guitar riff is being played with complete power and precision, the vocals are pristine and a pleasure to hear.
The band have the crowd in the palm of their hand and their lapping it up as they move through this show. One thing I do have to note is the set list is quite short and due to that, many of the fan favourites have been cut out. However, as the band start to play their last track, a clear fan favourite; all is forgiven.
Our last Inhaler treat of the evening is in the form of ‘My Honest Face’. As soon as the band start to play every single person in the room recognises the tune and look geared up for one last hurrah this evening.
Reaching the chorus, all the fans are united alongside the band singing “Baby / I’ll take you to an honest place / Darling / I just can’t find my honest face, my honest face” and it’s incredible to be a part of.
As I leave, reflecting on the show it turned out exactly how I expected; a fantastic night of great indie music.
Inhaler are a consistently reliable band who always put on a great show, and tonight was no exception.
Words by Laura Mills
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/airbnb-pet-friendly-rental-dog-hair-fee-b2360049.html
Site Title 