Featured image and gallery: Freya Barber
Following the abrupt announcement of an impending hiatus, Doncaster-based alternative rock band The Blinders have a lot to prove at their conclusive headline show. The New Century Hall show marks ‘one last spin, one last dance’ for the band, who recently returned after four years with their third studio album, Beholder.
Denver County Council kick off proceedings with debut single ‘Seventeen’, and the previously sparse crowd quickly collects to the sound of frontman Luke Denvers’ commanding vocals. They play a set of six songs, performing each one with the spirit of musical mavericks. There’s hair-flicking, head-banging and a sense that the band thrive off the crowd’s eager reaction.
Stanleys follow suit, playing a collection of palatable indie songs. Originating from Wigan, their music has clear undertones of classic 90s Manchester. Guitarist Jake Dorsman plays infectious and jangly Johnny Marr-style riffs as frontman Tom Concannon struts around the stage, painting an all too relatable picture of the humdrum of work, life, and love through his lyrics.
The Blinders play a thunderous, fast-paced set filled with an even blend of enduring favorites and intricate new material. From the explosive first chords of ‘Et Tu’, it’s clear that the show will leave very little time to rest, but the writhing crowd is already hungry for more. A mosh pit forms at the front of the crowd, as fans surrender themselves to a near-constant mass of kicking limbs and recurring splatters of discarded drinks.
During a rare lull in the otherwise exhilarating evening, frontman Thomas Haywood’s solo rendition of romantic ballad ‘Nocturnal Skies’ is met with a dwindled response, the most lifeless the room has looked all night. Fear not, as the pace immediately picks back up for an energetic finale.
The set draws to a close with ‘All I Need’, which feels particularly apt considering the band’s circumstance. The haunting drawl of “I’m going, I’m going, I’m going, I’m gone” punctuates the air, as Haywood declares: “See you on the other side”.
The Blinders can’t leave without one last dance – an encore of four of their most beloved tracks provides a passionate, yet bittersweet finale. As ‘Black Glass’ draws to a close, tears are shed from multiple fans. Haywood flings his guitar across the stage before the band marks the set’s end, gathering together for what may be the last time.
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