Constellations came back to Leeds on November 10th, a usual favourite with the trendiest of folk, with striking fashion sense and slightly obscure musical taste. The indoor one day festival celebrates talent from a range of different musical genres. This year the event other had a couple of pitfalls and because of this was moved to The Brudenell Social Club from the usual occupation of Leeds University.
Though the venue move and the cutting down of acts and last minute cancellation from Cheetahs, created whispers about the future of the day, the organisers stuck their fingers up at the critics and let the show go on.
The Brudenell was fairly sparse at the start of the day, people dotted awkwardly around the seats and a couple of people standing on the outskirts being warmed up with the relaxing Swimming Lessons.
Hailing from Glasgow, Paws were next with a set of lo fi punk. The band played with ease, looked comfortable on the stage and dragged a couple more punters through the door. Their shoe gazer style and intermittent screaming excited the crowd and built onto the growing atmosphere.
Saint Lou Lou followed, their front two slim attractive female singers dressed head to toe in black were the focal point of the band. Their sound was low maintenance and felt like it belonged in the nineties and unfortunately lacked depth. They did however get people up onto the dance floor and on their feet.
Next was the turn of Pale Seas, this band’s arrival seemed to be one that some were eagerly waiting for. Lead singer Jacob Scott, like his predecessors, was dressed completely in black. With his guitar stuck to him, he stood in an uneasy stance and nervously peered at the crowd, he unleashed his voice that seemed bigger than him. The band who describe themselves as ‘Dream Folk’ through Jacob’s voice, could very easily be compared to Brit pop band Starsailor.
Hooded Fang were an act you could easily warm to, through their humorous exchanges with the audience and the band, but most of all the tendency that they had to laugh at their own jokes, they were hard not to like. They weren’t just bringing the humour but the thick bass and a bit of rock to the party. Performing music with a lot of shredding and a psychedelic edge they excited the crowd.
As soon as Haim came on stage, it was obvious they were going to be something a little different. They began their performance by standing in a circle holding hands. From then on it was all about giving face. Two of the sisters had a slight grimace on their faces and the bassist had it down to a fine art. The corners of her mouth touched her chin and she looked like she was in-between the throws of passion and nausea at the thought. They played a set up country edged indie rock. Towards the end of their performance the songs began to resemble cheesy ballads, regardless they were thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd.
Kindness began ambling onto stage, looking a little more like a wedding and functions band than a festival band. Lead of Kindness Adam Bainbridge was witty and entertaining, as he referred to former bassist of the band and friend of Corinne Bailey Rae, who turned his back on the band, for his Christian values and food blog, he urged the crowd to take a look at it.
The crowd were electric, but not enjoying the set to the degree the band were, their chemistry was undeniable and their ability to keep the fun in the music was refreshing. Kindness were the first band of the day to be begged for an encore and if the crowd hadn’t asked Kindness looked like they were ready to oblige anyway.
The day was slightly lacklustre compared to the many rooms and acts of Leeds University and the setting up times of some of bands caused you to get friendly with your watch face. Despite this the voice of Jacob Scott, the bravado of Hooded Fang and the sheer fun element of Kindness made you forget the hiccups and left you with a memory of discovering some interesting new bands.
