The Leadmill came alive on Saturday night with a diverse range of musical acts, showcasing the vibrancy of the local and regional music scene.
Kicking off the evening was New Divide, an alternative pop band hailing from Manchester. The crowd was treated to a six-song setlist, featuring original tunes and covers that encapsulated their genre-blending style. Latest single, “Delora,” demonstrated a mature sound with great vocals from lead singer Charlotte. Paying homage to influences, they seamlessly covered tracks by Wolf Alice and The Killers, showcasing versatility and setting an energetic tone for the night. Definitely a band to check out and on a seasonal note, have a listen to their version of ‘White Christmas’ on streaming platforms, it’s really good!
Pennine Suite, a band hailing from York, took to the stage next with a 10-song setlist opening with the captivating “My Utopia” and including new release “Makeup.” Describing themselves as alternative rock and dream pop inspired, tonight’s performance went down well with the Leadmill crowd as they navigated through various moods and tempos. Closing with the anthemic “Pass on You.” Pennine Suite are definitely one to watch, excellent musicians, high energy stage presence from frontman Nick Aldous and strong tunes. You should check them out as soon as possible.
Anticipation reached its peak when Arctic Numpties, an Arctic Monkeys tribute band from South Yorkshire, stepped into the spotlight as the headline act. With a staggering 21-song main setlist, they delved into the extensive catalogue of the Arctic Monkeys, starting with the iconic “A Certain Romance” and taking the Leadmill crowd on a journey through the Monkeys’ musical history, culminating with the electrifying and superbly performed “Body Paint.”
There are other tributes but the authenticity of the Arctic Numpties is unparalleled in my opinion, capturing the essence and energy of the Arctic Monkeys with stellar precision. Their ability to transport the audience into the world of the Arctic Monkeys was nothing short of remarkable.
The crowd’s enthusiasm was rewarded with a three-song encore that featured classics “When the Sun Goes Down,” “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor,” and “R U Mine.”
Arctic Numpties flawlessly replicated both the music and the stage presence that fans adore tonight, fitting then that this was achieved on the same stage that the original band performed in 2007.
It’s worth noting that over 800 tickets were sold for this show, attesting to the popularity and draw of the bands that graced The Leadmill stage tonight, a testament to the thriving live music scene in Sheffield and the surrounding regions and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.
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