Lebanon Hanover, Brudenell Social, 9th September 2021

I’ve left Manchester, to head to the spiritual home of Goth, Leeds. It’s my first visit to Brudenell Social. I’ve no idea why it’s taken me this long, but Lebanon Hanover feel like the perfect band to take my virginity here. It really does live up to its reputation. The room runs round with a big arc at the back, tapering to the stage at the front. Why aren’t all venues this shape instead of inaccessible boxes? Anyway I’m in love, both with Brudenell and Lebanon Hanover. This band don’t tour the UK often, I’ve been waiting years to see them so expectations are a little high. Support comes from Jellyskin, who although I might need to listen to a few times to get into, they’re definitely worth exploring further with synths and samples layered under dual vocals from the duo. I can see why they’ve been chosen to support, there are obvious comparisons to the headliners. But make no mistake no one will be stealing Larissa & William’s thunder. Call it Goth, call it Darkwave, we’re in Sisters of Mercy territory with deep vocals, drum machines and guitars. If you don’t like Sisters, Lebanon Hanover probably aren’t for you. They’re certainly for me though and such is the wait I’ve been enduring, there’s now half a dozen albums to delve into and I’m pretty sure we get something from every one. The sound is great and they sound great with a set packed with dark minimalist beauty. I can’t think of any other band nailing this sound so perfectly. They really are flawless. The crowd occasionally getting so swept up they forget to applause. I know that sounds far fetched but I’m deadly serious. It feels wonderfully intimate. I swear it’s just like being in a goth club in the 90s, i think it even smells the same but I might be projecting. There’s only one word for the crowd, lovely. They look wonderful, sway beautifully and are very respectful in that delightfully aloof way. You can hear a pin drop between the opening songs. William comes alive when he puts his bass down, stalking and gliding about the stage whilst Larissa keeps her effortless Germanic cool. It’s just over an hour of glorious goth in one of the best live venues I’ve frequented and smashes any expectations I had. Even better than the last time I saw Sisters and Leeds, you are sublime.