Du Blonde - Brudenell Club, 5 June 2015

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 ‘Welcome Back to Milk’ has been the soundtrack to my days and nights since landing on our doormat on Sunday 17 May. Over 12 songs, Beth Jeans Houghton has love in her sights and mercilessly toys with it like a punk rock deity. Seeing it live turned into a must see event, it’s raw power deserved a live airing so we prowled over to the Brudenell Club in Leeds.

On stage, Du Blonde have a mesmerising presence, their collective magnetic pull akin to watching a hurricane to see if it touches down. On paper, it doesn’t make sense, the guitarist is wearing a jumper on the hottest day of the year so far, it’s a debut album by a new band, but in reality it’s a confident collective who are simply magnificent live.

Essential listening.
Make no mistake, as much as BJH is the merkin-wearing heart of the band, each band member is integral to the act, and seem to truly enjoy playing live. The drummer is a powerhouse, his count in to songs ranging from hand clapping to melodic counting is beguiling, whilst the lead guitarist is simply phenomenal whilst jumping around. Even the bassist is ice cool. Having last seen BJH at the nearby Cockpit in Leeds, it’s a transformation to see her live tonight. Seemingly unbuoyed by instruments, Beth instead owns the stage and the audience, like a modern day preacher. It’s inspiring, raw power that captivates us all.

Live, their album ignites like petrol on an open flame, there is anger, rage, barely seething contempt, which at times collapses into the quietest and poignant of moments before sparking again into a full blown inferno. A cover of ‘Where is my mind?’ is sublime, and perhaps best of all demonstrates how already Du Blonde’s songs stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best of the Pixies.

In short, it was a fucking amazing gig, Du Blonde deserve every plaudit gained so far and many more to come. Check them out while you can.

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