We were straight to the barrier and weren’t waiting long for the support, Mary In The Junkyard, to come on and provide the perfect opener for the show. The trio seemed in their element as they recreated the gloomy atmosphere that much of their music is associated with. The uniqueness of Clari Freeman-Taylor’s voice was hypnotising and had no trouble keeping the crowd engaged throughout. It was an ideal introduction to the gig and to the band as a whole.
Following this, Sports Team brought a sudden change of pace, offering everything you would expect from your classic indie concert. From mosh pits to crowd surfing, the band did not fail to keep their audience entertained, the only thing missing was a sticky Dark Fruits-soaked floor. Having seen them live previously, they supplied the perfect mix of nostalgia for British summer music festivals and new songs which created their best show I’ve seen live yet.
The key thing that jumped out to me was the distinct characters that the band members brought to the stage, not only providing musical talent, but a sense of entertainment for the crowd to enjoy too. Lead singer Alex Rice brought enthusiasm to the room, embodying an energetic presence that was impossible to ignore and got the whole crowd dancing. Rice seemed determined to stir up a healthy amount of chaos throughout the show, encouraging his audience to build a human pyramid which was (kind of) successful and seemed unphased when a singular shoe was thrown onto the stage straight at him. This did not sway the band from delivering a range of their discography from the classics like 'Here’s The Thing', to their new 2024 single 'I’m In Love (Subaru)'.
All in all, the gig had the ideal mix of intimacy and party, shaping the ultimate indie gig. Move over Newcastle United - there’s a new Sports Team in the Toon.
Wow this is so interesting, thank you so much!