Tonight sees Ed Nash (ex-Bombay Bicycle Club)’s band play the Leeds Brudenell Social Club on the fifth night of their debut tour. The album ‘The Pace of the Passing’ is a wonderful collection of songs that Nash has spent the last year pouring every ounce of his being into, so it will be nice to hear (and see) them in the flesh.
There’s something warming about being among the first people to have seen these songs performed live, and the band themselves are very inviting and humble. In between songs, Ed is incredibly thankful to the crowd.
It’s easy to forget what a cosy venue the Brudenell is, but Toothless make sure to remind you. Set opener ‘Charon’ creeps in and creates a static atmosphere, as if the audience has been frozen while the band remain in motion. ‘You Thought I Was’ and ‘The Sirens’ follow, serving up perfect examples of percussive, melodic pop. ‘Sisyphus’ wins irresistible foot-tapper of the night, and shows just what a tight unit the band are, while ‘Terra’ slows things down and creates a spine-tingling atmosphere.
‘Palm’s Backside’ is heart-wrenchingly confessional: “And you look happier than we ever were,” Nash sighs throughout. Announcing the last song, Ed jokily reminds everyone that “We haven’t got very many songs”, before they launch into the groove-heavy ‘Party for Two’ which features Toothless guitarist and support act Liz Lawrence sharing lead vocal duties (as on the album). It’s a wonderful end to a welcoming and sonically brilliant performance. Now, more music and more shows please guys.
View the full Toothless photo gallery in full below:
Toothless will make their festival debuts over the summer at Secret Garden Party and Reading & Leeds.
All photos courtesy of Tom Saunders.
