Crookes - Sound Control, Manchester, 20/2/2016

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 15 / 5 / 2016

intro

Dixie Ernill watches Sheffield band the Crookes play an anthemic set of indie pop to promote 'Lucky Ones', their latest album at Sound Control in Manchester

Sheffield’s The Crookes are one of those bands that really ought to be a household name by now as over the last seven or eight years they have built up an impressive back catalogue of consistently good singles and albums. Current album 'Lucky Ones' on Anywhere Records - their first since parting company with Fierce Panda - is certainly no exception and a good number of its tracks are included in tonight’s show. Lead by frontman George Waite, a cross between Robin Askwith and Jim Morrison with the energy of a Duracell bunny, the band win the crowd over by opening with a trio of ace numbers from their second album, 'Hold Fast', in the shape of 'Where Did Our Love Go?', 'Maybe in the Dark' and a rather lovely 'Sofie'. There is no let-up in quality as a clutch of new album tracks like the delicate 'Roman Candle' rubs shoulders with the riotous 'The World is Waiting' and 'I Wanna Waste My Time On You' – ideal showcases for the guitar work of Tom Dakin and main songwriter Daniel Hopewell. The fact that most of the crowd instantly recognise these songs despite the album having barely hit the shelves is testament to the devotion of the enlightened few. Older numbers like 'Chorus of Fools' and 'Backstreet Lovers' take me back to Accrington many moons ago when I first encountered the band in a groovy little club there, but still sound fresh all these years on. There are a couple of special cuts from Soapbox - 'When You’re Fragile' and the pounding lead single 'Play Dumb', but the unexpected highlight of the evening is the gentle duet, 'Ex-Lovers', between Waite and support act Misty Miller, an all too familiar tale love loss and longing. The fact that it’s a download only B-side is nothing short of a travesty. The set ends with a mass singalong to 'Afterglow”'and strangely no encore, but no matter they have packed enough quality into a single set than many bands do in a whole career. Do yourselves a favour go out and buy 'Lucky Ones' and fall in love with The Crookes.

Also at Sound Control, Manchester

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