The Slow Readers Club, Band on the Wall. 28th February 2023

Now this isn’t strictly a gig review, we’re here in Band on the Wall for the launch of the new Readers album Knowledge Freedom Power. It’s nice that this one has run on time, after the last launch got delayed by lockdown. By the time they ‘launched’ The Joy of the Return in Night & Day, everyone had learnt every word. That said this is the Readers, the devout fans only need a few days. Things start with a live #TimsTwitterListeningParty which is fun or odd depending on your outlook. Honestly it’s fun. Say what you like about the format online, but live in the room with them it’s a laugh. I’m not following on Twitter so I’ve no idea what’s making it online, but they’re chatty, comfortable and honest, with Aaron and Jim perhaps predictably doing the heavy lifting. Jim getting told off for swearing and Aaron fielding the questions from his phone. They’re clearly at ease and there’s clearly a lot of love in the room. Fans in the front row (yes they’ve put seats out) being applauded for getting to over 100 shows on the last tour. Now that’s dedication. Following a short break where the merch table gets flooded by the eager wanting that new shirt, poster, record. They take to the stage once more for an acoustic set. Well aside Jim who keeps it electric. ‘Modernise’ sounds lovely stripped back. For a track that seems to rely so much on its synth backbone, it’s quite a revelation.  It’s not, but it feels slower and it sounds marvellous. ‘All I Hear’ follows and it’s a similar story. Honed down it sounds almost haunting. Aarons voice given more space to show just how great he sounds. This seems to be the idea, take the bangers and melt them down. ‘On the TV’, ‘Forever in Your Debt’, even paired back they sound massive. ‘Lay Your Troubles on Me’ already sounds like an old friend and I imagine will be a favourite in the set on the forthcoming tour. ‘Afterlife’ too sounds sublime, even if Aaron is wrestling a little on the chorus, he pulls it off and let’s be honest, it just makes us love him more. He picks up a guitar and sheds the coat for ‘I Saw a Ghost’ and to be honest it sounds just as great as the album version recorded 8 years ago. I like them this, it all sounds beautiful and warm. 200 souls snug, appreciating this genuinely brilliant band. Well aside the toerags on the side of the balcony talking through half the songs despite numerous calls to shut up. They close out with ‘Lunatic’, several hands going up for the “build a tower” line. Magical stuff from a magical band. They even finish with a raffle and who doesn’t love a raffle. Jim it turns out is brilliant at running a raffle. It sounds a bit silly. It is, but honestly they’re working their arses off and fair play to them. Get yourself a ticket for the tour you won’t be disappointed and buy the new album… they’re chart chasing.