Freak Slug kicked off the UK leg of their Big Candles tour in Leeds on the 13th of May. With support from Babe Corner, these two bands dedicate a lot of love and energy when putting on a show. That said, it was an evening of distorted guitars and dreamy vocals for Leeds tonight.
Babe Corner took to the stage first to a barely half-full Brudenell. It seems it doesn’t matter if they’re playing to ten people or thousands. They are clearly at home on that stage. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, this was their first time playing Leeds. They were given a warm Yorkshire welcome as they prepped the crowd for its headliner. Camaraderie on stage, and the anecdotes between songs as transitions are endearing. While including the songs ‘Bianca‘ and ‘Cigarette‘ offers glimpses into their lives not only as performers but as people. With their ethereal 90s sound, Babe Corner set the tone for the night. They’re the perfect opening act for this tour.
On to the main event, Freak Slug. As soon as the band steps onto the stage there is an energy shift. A recognition descends over everyone in the room, band included. Brudenell is now a world of its own. Nothing exists outside the next hour. Most noticeable about the show is that their live sound is perfect. Both vocals and instruments are flawless. The use of spoken transitional clips between songs creates a wholly cohesive performance.
The crowd are utterly charmed by the experience. Couples are immersed in each other, dancing and embracing to a 90s-inspired soundtrack. Despite heavy topics broached in the content of some song,s there is still so much levity meandering through. Each track is a journey of its own or a glimpse into the life of Freak Slug. emotional vulnerabilities intertwined with anger wrapped up with a dream-pop, grungey, alt-rock hybrid. The chemistry between each member of the band is playful and boisterous making them a joy to watch. As the front woman herself, Xenya Genovese truly captivates.
There are no theatrics, cheap thrills, or overproduction with this show. Focus is drawn to showcasing music as an art in its purest form. The experience is also punctuated with lighting complimentary of the tracks, adding to them not distracting. Although it was short and sweet, it certainly packed a punch. The set included a song off their EP ‘Be Your Girl‘ getting its live debut. And ‘Killer‘ soon to feature in the remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Tickets for the remaining dates of the tour are still available.
May 18th – Exchange – Bristol
May 20th – Joiners – Southampton
May 21st – Patterns – Brighton
May 23rd – Deaf Institute – Manchester
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