Photo Credit: Molli Keenor
After the success of their 35th anniversary tour across the UK in 2024, alongside their greatest hits albums release, the LIGHTNING SEEDS brought their career spanning set to towns off of the beaten track, including a sold out performance at Holmfirth Picturedrome.
The night began with fellow Liverpool band CASINO. The band’s blend of soul and motown elements with an indie rock edge gives it a retro feel with a modern twist. A packed venue welcomed them with love as the Holmfirth crowd applauded after every song, with their track ‘Back in the Day” serving as the favourite across the set. The Scousers upbeat and vibrant songs genuinely livened up the place just in time for the headliner.
Making their way on to the compact stage, the LIGHTNING SEEDS took their positions for a trip down memory lane. Opening with ‘Life’s Too Short’, quickly followed by ‘Change’ and ‘Sense’ to get the crowd involved from the start, Ian Broudie thanked the crowd for their support over the last 35 years (now technically 36). Despite being a greatest hits labelled set, this was far from a karaoke filler. The band built a cohesive journey through the years, with Broudie’s shimmering guitar playing, accompanied by jangly synths and unmistakable vocals anchoring everything.
Dedicating ‘Emily Smiles’ to the late and great Terry Hall, Broudie details the story that it was the last song they co-wrote together. Met with a gentle applause from the crowd, the song unfolded and was elegantly delivered. Picking back up with ‘Perfect’ and a cover of ‘You Showed Me’ set up a final run of fan favourites in the form of ‘Lucky You’, ‘3 Lions’ and ‘Pure’ to please the Holmfirth crowd once again as they sang on with real affection.
Returning to the stage after a brief break, the band kicked the three track encore off with ‘Marvellous’, quickly followed by ‘Be My Baby’ before the long-awaited finale of ‘Life of Riley’ to bow out of West Yorkshire in spectacular fashion. The bands’ chemistry remains as strong as ever, not just between long-time members but also with Broudie’s son Riley, as the family connection subtly comes through on stage. The Holmfirth crowd gave it one last shot, and they didn’t disappoint. Both Ian and Riley couldn’t hold back their smiles during the final song, a real sense of warmth and satisfaction on a cold October evening.
Taped Magazine 