The Cribs return to Leeds to the delight of the Millennium Square crowd

The Cribs @ Leeds Millennium Square 2016

Friday 22nd July 2016
Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
£22.50

There is a threat of rain but thankfully it doesn't amount to anything for the first of the weekend shows at the 'pop up' huge outdoor venue that is Millennium Square. Saturday and Sunday see Ocean Colour Scene, Shed Seven and The Bluetones bring some 90's indie to the flagstones but tonight it is the turn of local heroes The Cribs to entertain. It is billed as a homecoming show but I would much rather the name were used if they played in their hometown 15 miles away of Wakefield, as shown on the bands merch for sale at the show, and bring people to the smaller city. Wakefield has always had a rich talent (yes I'm including Black Lace!) musically but these brothers are by far the most successful of recent times.

They have managed to bag Thurston Moore, a real bonus for them as fans of the Seattle and New York grunge/art rock era. The songs between band change overs include such variety as Nirvana's Negative Creep and Cyndi Lauper's 'Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun', showing the guys fun sides. Warming up the show are Menace Beach, and Pulled Apart By Horses.

The doors open at teatime and Menace Beach are first on, starting with 'Drop Outs' (the video for which coincidently was animated by Tom Hudson of the next band). The Leeds band have not played for 7 months until last night in Derby at the Hairy Dog. The duo of Ryan Needham and Liza Violet are now a five piece, and their set of alt rock and indie go down well with the crowd, featuring songs like 'Fortune Teller', 'Tennis Court' and 'Tastes Like Medicine'.

Pulled Apart By Horses, another band from Leeds, are up next and begin with 'I Punched A Lion In The Throat'. There's some new songs like 'The Big What If', and favourites like 'V.E.N.O.M.', 'Lizard Baby' and finishing with 'High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive.' Tom Hudson, James Brown and Robert John Lee are joined by newer drummer Tommy Davidson and go down a storm.

Thurston Moore was a big pull to this gig for myself particularly. Having grown up as a teen their age in Wakefield I already know the twins, and what a huge thing it is for them to get Thurston to play this show, and how proud I am of them for getting this far and being able to sign a band like this up. Having switched sides of the ponds (the Jarman twins live in America, Thurston is now in London) this of course still helps but hat a result! Both bands have a fondness for Fender guitars also, with both axe-playing Jarmans and Thurston having signature Fender models now. Moore is joined in his band by Steve Shelley, drummer of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine's Debbie Googe on bass and extraordinary guitarist James Sedward (I hear he has used a power drill to play the guitar before). Moore has said before in encore slots that they don't play songs, and having just the 4 songs here during their set you can see why! 'Cease Fire' is a punchy track, followed by the lovely melodic 'Turn On' with its complexity and a great solo from Sedwards. Aphrodite is a long long long tune, not really doing anything but revolving rather than evolving. Ono Soul is an old track from the solo album 'Psychic Hearts' in 1995 that harks back with its Sonic Youth similarities. Thurston himself looms over a music stand containing the lyrics but this set is about the swirling music. Lovely stuff.

The Cribs walk on stage soon after to Alessi's 'Savin' The Day' from the original Ghostbusters film. This may be a sly nod to the new female cast of Ghostbusters 3 from Gary as a stern opposer of misogyny. Or it could be just 'cos it's a great 80's/childhood track. The backdrop itself uses a font remarkably similar to that used on Dirty Dancing film promo. Jazzy.

'Another Number' features from the debut album. The New Fellas features with huge hits 'Hey Scenesters!' and my favourite 'Mirror Kisses', though 'Men's Needs, Women's Needs' bags the most stage time. Ryan comes on stage and lobs a pint into the crowd, for second hit 'I'm A Realist' the crowd throw them back. There's only 'We Were Aborted' and 'City Of Bugs' from 'Ignore The Ignorant', 'In The Belly Of The Beast' has 'Glitters like Gold' and latest album 'For All My Sisters' has the most songs, namely 'Different Angle', 'An Ivory Hand' and show ender 'Pink Snow'.

The Cribs: The Cribs at Leeds Millennium Square

The guys thank the other bands and say this is the best gig by far, being near home, sun shining, headlining a show to friends and fans. Who would have thought these three guys from Wakey would have made the big time. Hard work and good ethics (sticking with Wichita Records in the beginning, actually recording lo-fi and being loved for it, remaining grounded) all from the days of making up their own Springtime Studios and buying Ross' drum kit from their wages, the humble beginnings have paid off.

There's half disco balls on the stage (Disco Nipples I have named them) and huge stage cannons firing yellow confetti during 'Come on, Be A No-One'. The crowd are one lovely bunch, beer is spilt but apologies given, there's no trouble, everyone's chatting with their neighbours, its good all round fun. And the forecast rain stays away. A grand way to spend a Friday night.

Ancient History
I'm a Realist
Different Angle
Come On, Be a No-One
Burning for No-One
Glitters Like Gold
We Were Aborted
Women's Needs
Another Number
An Ivory Hand
Wish I Knew You in The 90s
City of Bugs
Shoot the Poets
Simple Story
Our Bovine Public
Moving Pictures
Be Safe
Hey Scenesters!
Leather Jacket Love Song
The Wrong Way to Be
Mirror Kissers
Men's Needs
Pink Snow