Truckfighters + White Miles + Witchrider at Leeds Brudenell Social Club (10/11/2014)
White Miles live at Leeds Brudenell Social Club.
Earlier in the year I had the immense pleasure of witnessing White Miles owning the O2 Academy stage as they opened for Grunge heroine / harridan Courtney Love.
Ms Love certainly picked her supporting act well and White Miles whipped the crowd into a delirious frenzy making it easy for Courtney to finish everyone off with her raucously engaging personality – don’t listen to those stupid isolated vocal tracks, she rocked.
Tonight Medina and Lofi aka White Miles return to the UK for the British leg of their European tour dates with Witchrider and the mighty Truckfighters.
Witchrider take to the stage first and those that made it down to the venue early are treated to a full blown stadium rock show.
It’s rare you will see an opening act of such calibre at a gig, but this three tier tour is an exception to the rule and one worthy of your money.
Witchrider have the song sonics of Queens Of The Stone Age (the band were almost named Desert Mountain in honour of Josh Homme’s Desert Session project) but take the material else where with a grungy heartfelt realism to their lyrics.
Highlights of their taut set tonight are EP favourites ‘Shedevil’ a frenetic rock power blast, and the simmering, haunting ‘Black’ which recalls memories of the band ‘Bush’ back when they were relevant, with singer Dan’s emotive vocal soaring across an enraptured audience.
White Miles take to the stage next and almost rip the roof off with their explosive energy.
We had spent time earlier in the day with the Austrian duo and whilst we discussed the joys of Hendricks Gin, Mulled Cider and subtle differences in each other’s cultures – their version of Halloween sounds absolutely terrifying – you could sense their desire to get on stage increase with every passing minute.
All three bands have been on tour together a while now and White Miles are clearly in their element playing live, months of touring has harnessed their live set into a ferocious adrenalin soaked power.
As much as I love the bass Lofi’s drumming requires no rhythm section support and tonight he is on fire, spinning wildly in his chair as he seemingly pummels the drum kit with every ounce of energy he can muster. It’s an absolute joy to watch a band so utterly owning the stage and White Miles do that with ease.
Medina’s vocals seem especially vital as she fills the Brudenell with magnetic stage presence, recent single ‘Fake Smile’ is delivered with a beaming REAL smile reminiscent of Kim Deal that enthrals a captive Leeds audience.
‘Do What The Devil Says’ reaches new heights and ‘Show Your Hope Where The Dope Grows’ prolongs the pleasure, it’s a full on sweaty rock gig and having peaked already we guiltily miss the bulk of Truckfighters epic headline set in favour of catching up post gig with a glowing White Miles.
Truckfighters • White Miles • Witchrider continue their tour in the following cities this week, our advice is to get to the nearest show and be down the front early.
Nov 11th Manchester Sound Control
Nov 12th Glasgow King Tuts
Nov 13th Nottingham The Basement
Nov 14th London O2 Academy Islington
Nov 15th Pwllheli Hard Rock Hell
Nov 16th Birmingham Oobleck