The Lounge Society take to the stage for their first headliner at the Trades Club in their hometown of Hebden Bridge

My first live music experience since the start of 2020 did not disappoint.

Entering the Trades Club for the first time since seeing Working Men’s Club in 2019 (at which, funnily enough, The Lounge Society supported) was unreal. After over a year void of live music, I certainly welcomed the prospect of watching the Yorkshire four-piece take the stage in their hometown. 

The first thing I’d like to say about the gig is about the incredible support acts Splint and Julia Bardo. Albeit I was unfamiliar with Splint until they graced the stage and made it their own; they delivered a cutting post-punk performance that definitely left a good impression on the crowd.

And of course, I cannot forget the soothing, emotional performance that Julia Bardo nurtured. Following the release of her new single No Feeling, her performance embodied powerful emotional vulnerability — a balance incredibly difficult to strike.

With regards to her new tune, in short, I love it. It’s funky and feminine — absolutely cannot go wrong. Although, having ‘this machine kills sexists’ plastered across the front of her guitar was always bound to make me biased. 

Having sufficiently warmed up the atmosphere, the Yorkshire punk outfit took the stage and launched into their first tune, Cain’s Heresy, the third track from their recently released (and outstanding, BTW) EP, Silk For The Starving. An obvious choice for the opening song packed with explosive, moody lyrics, thrashing guitar and a pressure-building intro.

From the get-go there were mosh pits left right and centre — for a crowd full of people starved of live music for the past eighteen or so months this was evidently a cathartic moment. I just wish I hadn’t worn heels. 

The performance also hosted a few sneak-peeks of unreleased tracks which were eaten up by the crowd: the band are evidently staying true to their punkish, moody sound and political messaging. 

The homecoming gig was undoubtedly a great opportunity for the band to show off the tunes from their recent EP, and it incidentally confirmed my favourite track off of it: Valley Bottom Fever. A track hosting rushing guitar lines which only fuelled the crowd’s energy further.

At this point in the set, it felt as if live music as we know it had never left… a really odd sense of comfort which showed an obvious antithesis amongst the raging lyrics and volatile guitar line. I can only explain it as an air of nostalgia from having watched the group perform at The Trades Club in what seemed like another lifetime altogether. 

Leaving their most iconic track until last, the group nailed their performance of Generation Game; an ode to political issues concerning the younger generations which effortlessly captures the feeling of being ignored.

The atmosphere was thick with indignation and angst — upon its release the track undoubtedly resonated with the younger generations, and this was even more evident in the live performance. At this point in the performance, I couldn’t help but muse that this particular track will stand the test of time… it puts fire in the belly of the socially conscious youth of today, as it will tomorrow and every day after that.

I really couldn’t have asked more of my first gig since a dry spell of live music… this group will do great things.