First on this stellar lineup were Black Dove, a band we've predicted will take 2019 by storm - they didn't disappoint. Anthemic indie tracks like Take You Home and Fake ID prove these boys have a bright future ahead. This definitely whet the appetite for their up-coming 'This Feeling' tour which kicks off in April.
Next up were Airdrie 4-piece The Novacs whom started off with a bouncing drumbeat and bass line to get the crowd going. What followed was a flurry of impressive Catfish-influenced indie belters. With the crowd suitably warmed up it was time for one of the breakthrough acts of the past 12 months, Perth pop quartet Parliamo.
Starting with a blast of energy, which immediately whipped the crowd into a frenzy. The pace barely dipped throughout, already with a considerable following, they delightfully straddle a multitude of genres with dreamy-pop melodies and a punk edge.
Frontman, Jack Dailly was on spell-binding form, as he channeled his inner Ian Curtis throughout. Highlight of the night was 'Sweet', easily the band's biggest single to date with over a 100k streams, and by the scenes within a sweaty Tut's, most were from this crowd! It was going to take something special to top this, were The Morning Retakes up for it...?
Headliners: The Morning Retakes
As the crowd filtered through, the atmosphere was reaching fever-pitch as The Retakes enter the stage to a dark moody riff, in-keeping with their heavier sound on recent singles. This continued with an equally heavy drum beat before TMR took us down a more shoe-gazing route. It's always exhilarating to see a band's take risks and develop their sound as they continue to grow with ever changing influences.
There was a noticeably older crowd than with the previous bands, however you wouldn't have guessed - everyone was ready to let go at any moment. It takes a mere 3 songs until we hear the always fun chant of "Up the, up the, up the Fuckin' Retakes." As the set continues they moved into a more classic rock vibe which the loyal tut's crowd lapped up.
Tonight is far from their first appearance on this hallowed stage, and it shows, they look relaxed, comfortable (despite a broken finger), and most definitely at home. The night races on with sing-a-longs, a 50th Birthday shout-out, mosh pits and not 1, but 2 "Wall of Deaths" (not seen since last time Frank Carter was in town).
Showcasing more new tracks from up their up-coming EP, they delight with more major riffs, reminiscent of legendary Leeds rockers 'Pulled Apart by Hoses", nothing to sniffed at and to the crowds delight the biggest mosh pit of the night erupts with frontman, Jake, standing tall to hear the packed crowd sing back every word. What a feeling.
Their final track builds into total eurohpia as the crowd splits in the middle with everyone throwing themselves around with limbs aloft and the Tut’s floor shaking, bringing a great set for The Retakes to a suitably raucous close.
Stupid question really, of course they were!
Words: Graham Ryan