Photo Credit: Anya Maya

Birmingham band THE TWANG celebrated the 15th anniversary of their sophomore album ‘Jewellery Quarter‘ by embarking on a UK tour, performing the record in its entirety and, for the first time, releasing it on vinyl. Five days before Christmas, the band made a comeback to Sheffield’s The Leadmill, just a year after their last appearance at the iconic venue.

Manchester’s cheeky chaps PASTEL have been gaining some high profile recognition over the last few years. From opening Liam Gallagher’s historic Knebworth performance in 2022, the band have also been making a name for themselves on the touring circuit. They are set to release their debut album in January, and this tour served as the perfect opportunity to attract a host of new fans ahead of their headline tour in 2025. The band’s debut in Sheffield was met with an already packed room, and they thrived off that from the off. Tracks included ‘Isaiah’, ‘Your Day’ and ‘Deeper Than Holy’ to get the Sheffield crowd warmed up, and they certainly succeeded with that as each track was met with a much more positive reception. A surprise cover of Beastie Boys’ single ‘Fight For Your Right’ in a more ambient-shoegaze setting was a perfect addition from the band. For a tour no doubt filled with late nights, long drives and heavy drinking, it was clear that the PASTEL boys are already accustomed to life on the road.

Despite knowing the order it was to be played in, fans were still in for a new experience as three of the tracks were yet to get their live run out, until now. The crowd cheered as the band made their way on to the stage, and unleashed ‘Took the Fun’ with no time to waste. A real trip down memory lane was in store, and fan favourite ‘Barney Rubble’ ensured that the energy in the room continued, with the crowd singing back to Phil Etheridge as loud as they possibly could. Both ‘Twit Too’ and ‘May I Suggest’ finally got their live debut, and based off the interaction down the front, it was like they were a set list staple, with every word repeated back once again.

Guaranteed to keep up the energy, ‘Encouraging Sign’ soon followed, whilst the room was filled with a constant joint effort with Etheridge, the frontman was struggling to contain his huge smile throughout the performance. The immaculate performance of ‘Jewellery Quarter’ continued as ‘Got No Interest’ went down an absolute storm with the crowd, whilst the final song to get its first live run out was ‘Williamsburg’ right before ‘Another Bus’ concluded the albums track listing and the band made their way off stage with the lights turning the room to darkness, but neither the band nor the Sheffield crowd were yet to call it a night.

A quick return to the stage and the room was electric once more, with ‘Wide Awake’ kicking off the seven track encore in spectacular fashion. Guitarist Stu Hartland continued to delivery emphatic guitar solos, with Etheridge making regular visits to him to witness the magic unfolding. Instructed by the songs title, ‘You on My Shoulders’ encouraged those in attendance to deliver a festival like atmosphere, with arms spread out wide and singing along throughout, it was a site to behold. Arguably their biggest anthem, ‘Either Way’ was met with huge cheers as the intro hit, with the chorus being sung as loud as possible. Further hits of theirs included ‘Two Lovers‘ and ‘Guapa’ maintained the atmosphere right until the end, as ‘Cloudy Room’ concluded the bands return to the Steel City. As the capacity crowd began to pour out of the venue, and a very fitting song to exit to considering the show took place just 5 days before Christmas, ‘Fairytale of New York’ was played through the speakers to get everyone in the spirit.