Hotel Lux, Deaf Institute. 19th February 2023

Sometimes the support at gigs is a bit mediocre. Not tonight, tonight it’s brilliant. A band who I think are called Morton Betts or something like that start us off. I’ve not heard them before, hence not quite catching the name (I’m relying on Twitter to help me out) and I need to wrap my ears around a record, but live they’re fantastic. If for no other reason than the rubber legged bassist being the picture of utter joy. His smile is infectious and the baselines funky. Throw some glorious guitar over the top and we’re off. There’s a new one mid set that doesn’t have a name as it was only written on Wednesday and it sounds amazing. This lot are definitely one to keep an ear on.

Up next it’s locals Soup! Who I know a little, but haven’t seen live before. This is a bigger sound, helped by some nice slices of synth that melt in with the scratchy guitars. A few songs in it gets even meatier as a mute amp is discovered and brought into the party. They’re undeniably northern with some monolithic slabs of dark broody melody that wrap around you like a timeliness Sunday afternoon. Before the sharp Gang of Four guitars tear through your chest. A new one called ‘Supplies’ is a bouncy little bugger and gets the heads bobbing nicely too. Good stuff.

To the headliners. I first stumbled across Hotel Lux 4 years ago, which seems impossible, but time still doesn’t make much sense to me after the last few years. Back then they were supporting Dilly Dally (must see if they’re still about), looked a bit disheveled, but sounded great. They’ve now got an album out and the new tunes sound even better. I’d compared them to The Fall and Art Brut last time, they’re definitely moving much more to the latter with a bigger pop feel, that’s more bouncy and fun. Don’t worry though, that dry delivery is still there. Songs about how much people earn, or don’t. Football players getting younger and absent fathers. Lewis still likes to sing with a can in hand, but he’s made an effort tonight with a natty suit and jumper combo. They feel much more menacing live. There’s nothing to reign them in. Vocals are snarled and violins shredded. ‘Easy Being Lazy’ slows things down though and I’ll admit, it’s not my favourite, but I’m all in favour of mixing thing up. ‘The Ballad of You and I’ brings the stomp back… and then the acoustic comes out. I do like this band and urge any reader to have a listen, but live it’s a bit up and down. Maybe I’m just not in the mood to be sad and whimsical, or maybe there’s two bands up there trapped together. I’m not sure, but they’ve definitely moved on, maybe I just need to catch up. ‘Tabloid Newspaper’, ‘Common Sense’, ‘National Team’, these are the songs I’m here for. ‘Eastbound and Down’ closes with all the angular guitars, hooky bass, solid drums and keyboard swagger that I’ve come to love from Hotel Lux. I’m not going to pretend it’s my favourite set, but this band are more than meets the eye, they’re a twisty bunch and whoever put this line up together needs a pat on the back. Off to the merch table. Support small venues. Support new bands… and even ones that have been round a few years.