Yard Act, The Ritz. 25th November 2022

I was in The Ritz the other night for another new band that have risen fast. I’m not one to pitch bands against one another, but I get the sense that Yard Act might have more in the tank. That old Rover will be thirsty after all. This is the biggest stage I’ve seen them on (as headliners anyway), having quickly worked their way through the city’s smaller rooms. It suits them. They’ve never disappointed on previous encounters, but tonight they need to be great. I’m feeling rough and desperately need something to pick me up. Especially after we’ve all just been bored to death watching England. Fear not Yard Act have this. The heat instantly gets dialled to dripping wet as they plough into ‘Pour Another’ and as it rolls into ‘Dead Horse’ James’ throwing shapes in his coat. Surely it’s a bit warm in here for outer layers. It’s been a couple of months since I saw them last and honestly I’d forgotten how awesome they are live. Sam looks like he’s in an existential battle with his guitar, jittering around as he rips chords from the beast that’s attacking his waist. It’s phenomenal. ‘Fixer Upper’ Is dispatched early, along with the coat. The size of the pit growing song by song, everyone getting in on it screaming “take the money and run “ on ‘Pay Day’. It’s bonkers. Not as bonkers perhaps as a cover of ‘Crazy Horses’ that comes next. It’s bloody funny and bloody good too. Next we’re treated to a new one called ‘Dream Job’. It sounds good, a promising indication of what might be to come, but probably not as good as ‘Dark Days’ that follows. These early songs still sound amazing and I’m not sure they’ve matched that brilliant debut EP yet, but they’re getting closer. The tempo ups with ‘Witness (Can I Get A?). It’s a proper punk snarler, fast and ferocious. Showing one side, before

‘Tall Poppies’ gives us the breather and I catch myself thinking ‘hey I feel much better’ as James let’s loose lyrically like a beat poet and the band follow with the guy at the back grabbing a sax (sorry fifth live band touring member I don’t know your name, but you play beautifully!) There’s a lot of post punk about at the moment, but no one is doing it like Yard Act. It’s epic stuff. ‘Rich’ follows. I’m not going to get into lyrical dissection but give this lot a proper listen, there’s a lot under the hood. The coat is back as they finish with a chaotic version of ‘The Overload’ and in previous outings that would be it. We’re getting big now though so the theatre of an encore is introduced and they return and roll into ‘100% Endurance’ with the audience chanting “Fuck the Tories”. Both are beautiful songs. The spot lights swaying and that disco beat kicking in getting the Ritz’s spring loaded floor bouncing. The band seem genuinely taken aback by the love from the crowd and you’d have to be comatose not to feel that sense that this truly is a bit special. Everyone wants more. I want ‘The Trappers Pelts’ and that’s what we get, the place goes off and even the photographer in the pit is losing it bouncing around like it’s his last night on earth. I was in two minds whether I felt up to it tonight, but I’ve come away feeling amazing. The restorative power of live music. Incredible!