STAYCATIONS SMASH REAL SOUNDS HEADLINE AT MACBETH, LONDON

LIVE REVIEW | STAYCATIONS | LONDON THE MACBETH 13/07 by Shona Hoey

REAL Sounds put on a stellar gig at The Macbeth in London last week featuring a headline from Cambridge/London based band The Staycations supported by High Society, Matty Whelan, and YUKE. Every time I attend a grassroots gig, I am astonished by the sheer level of talent on show for the price they’re charging, and by how friendly and passionate everyone is. Even the shy ones are dragged out of their shells when they get to talk about their music with a fellow music lover. 

I must admit that I am ashamed to say I had missed High Society’s name on the poster for this gig, and as such I had no idea what they sounded like before I turned up to the show, but I have most definitely been listening to them on repeat since. With influences such as Nirvana, Basement, and Foo Fighters, their tender melodies mixed with hardcore harmonies blast through you for a rich live experience. It’s never easy being the first act on, but they did a fantastic job of getting the crowd warmed up with their head-bangers like ‘Venom’ and their latest single ‘Stray’ and set the bar high for what was looking to be a great night. 

Matty Whelan followed and was an absolute delight, with only one single currently released to the masses (‘newlife’), I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from his other material, but I was absolutely blown away. Whelan and his band provided an amazingly upbeat indie-pop/rock experience only 3 months after his debut gig in April of this year. I was pleasantly surprised that Whelan not only met expectations he set from his single, but soared above them with his emotive lyrical delivery and supremely catchy choruses. He plays the kind of music that feels familiar whilst being totally fresh and his performance of unreleased tracks hinted at a bright future, leaving everyone eager for his next release.

YUKE are well and truly my new favourite boiler-suited 4-piece band; they oozed summer feeling and energy just poured out of them. Reminiscent of Everything Everything, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, and lesser known Youth Sector, they produce nothing but synth-infused bops that had everyone dancing. It would have been hard to believe that they would provide anything other than a dynamic and engaging performance from what I had heard before the gig, but they really did not disappoint. Their infectious energy and vibrant stage presence transformed the venue into a lively dance floor, with the audience fully immersed in their set. Each song was a celebration, blending catchy melodies with intricate synth work that created a soundscape both nostalgic and novel.

I have been aware of The Staycations for a long time now because they just so happen to be from where I grew up, so on a day I already happened to be in London, it seemed like a no brainer to catch this show. After listening to the other acts on Spotify too, I was 1000% sold. This gig showed the very best of what grassroots talent has to offer in a beautiful venue with great pizza. The Staycations’ set was a perfect blend of old favourites such as ‘Ophelia’, newer favourites like ‘Early Mornings’, and some completely new material, showcasing their evolution as artists. My favourite of their tracks ‘The Enemy’ is vehemently hated by singer Lewis but he reluctantly performed it as an encore after cries of “one more song” came from the audience along with Matty Whelan and I screaming for ‘The Enemy or we riot’ (okay the riot part was just me, but the point still stands). Their sound is hard to describe, with early influences like Bombay Bicycle Club and Foals combined with their new inspirations such as Shame and Deeper; they seem to straddle post-punk meets pop without being anywhere remotely near pop-punk. Regardless of how you’d describe them, they always put on a lively show surrounded by loyal fans, and undoubtedly gaining new ones along the way. Plus, any band who has a banger of a song about their local Wetherspoons and dodging fist fights outside of it (‘Regal’) deserves a little of your ears’ attention. 

For updates on future gigs and releases, be sure to follow REAL Sounds, High Society, Matty Whelan, YUKE, The Staycations, and of course Northern Exposure on social media. This night was a perfect example of why supporting local music is so rewarding – you get to witness the rise of the next big acts in an intimate setting, surrounded by fellow music lovers.

https://www.instagram.com/yuke.band

https://www.instagram.com/_mattywhelan

https://www.instagram.com/highsociety.band

https://www.instagram.com/staycationsband

https://www.instagram.com/northernexposure_mag

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