Photos + Words by Lily Ajaib
The Herefordshire indie-rock band PENTIRE, start the year settling into their biggest headline tour, returning to the iconic Brudenell. They last played the venue in November for Live at Leeds: In The City, but this time, their name leading the line up – supporting their newly released EP, ‘Love on TV‘. They more than lived up for the occasion, delivering a high energy set to an even more highly energetic crowd.
To start the night, HONEY TRAP delivered a standout performance that brought a jazzy vibe to the room. Their smooth, interlaced vocals created a rich, immersive sound, while each member had moments to showcase their individual musical talents. ‘Surfer Lady‘ was a particular highlight, getting the crowd moving with an infectious groove. They closed their set with a mashup of Modjo’s ‘Lady (hear me tonight)‘ and Chic’s ‘Everybody Dance‘, leaving an audience warmed up and ready for the rest of the night.
Before Pentire took the stage were Mansfield band, THE PUBLICS, an indie rock band that brought passion to the stage. With their gritty guitar riffs and catchy choruses, the band invited as much interaction as possible. A personal favourite was their newest song, ‘I Hope You’re Satisfied‘ with a catchy guitar heavy chorus and a moment for Elliot Stephan to showcase his vocals. Their sound made for a perfect opener for the night as the band fed off the growing anticipation in the room. By the end of the set, they certainly had won over a few new fans.
The atmosphere shifted as PENTIRE took the stage, entering the room to ‘Love On TV‘ to a packed intimate room, and then quickly shifting into ‘Times Change (So Do I)‘. The room wasn’t just filled with a group of just casual listeners, these were dedicated fans. Fans have clearly already connected to the new EP, allowing the new songs to slot seamlessly into the setlist and keeping the spirit at a high. Based on the crowd’s reaction, ‘Get Up‘ seemed to be a fan favourite with the entire room singing along. The live performance was insanely accurate to the recorded version, yet it carried an extra surge of energy that could only be experience in person. With the band feeding off the crowd’s excitement, the track felt even more electrifying proving just how well their new music translate to a live setting.
PENTIRE knew exactly how to make their Leeds show feel special, embracing the usual Yorkshire chant at full volume throughout the show. Between songs, they kept the energy high, not just with the music but with their antics, chugging beers for the amusement of the audience. A special mention for when they played ‘Belly Dancer‘ (their second single released in 2019), that had been made as a special request, showing much they care for those who have supported them. It was a night of personal touches, making the gig feel like a true one-off experience.
Their final song ‘Spinning‘ had the whole room bouncing, a perfect end to an unforgettable performance. PENTIRE‘s return to The Brudenell felt like a significant milestone, however, if this tour is anything to go by, the Herefordshire band is on a rapid ascent. This Saturday night thrilling set proved that PENTIRE are a band destined for bigger stages, catch them live while you still can.
Photo Credit: Lily Ajaib – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Taped Magazine 