The Fratellis
The Fratellis made an impressive comeback at Leadmill on Sunday at the first of five UK dates scheduled for this year.
Having previously supported the likes of Kasabian and the Police as well as playing at festivals such as Glastonbury, the indie-rock band are best-known for their catchy choruses in hits such as ‘Chelsea Dagger’, ‘Creepin’ up the Backstairs’, and ‘Flathead’.
With two albums to date, they shook up the indie scene in 2006 with their best-selling album, Costello Music, later picking up a BRIT award for Best British Breakthrough act in 2007.
Despite their absence from the music scene since 2008, the Scottish trio made up of Jon, Barry and Mince were certainly not strangers to the live stage, and entertained Leadmill’s rowdy crowd from start to finish. As the gig starts, the packed venue made it clear that this show has been long-awaited by fans.
Some are slightly older than expected, but nonetheless, seem to share the same enthusiasm and reflect the wider appeal of the band.
Throughout the gig, the audience are treated to the best of an impressive back catalogue of songs, kicking off with ‘Henrietta’. Arguably, the set list lent heavily towards their first album and songs from the band’s 2008 album, Here We Stand, fail to excite the crowd in the same way. Nevertheless, their sound remains distinctive and they did by no means disappoint.
Predictably saving the best until last, Chelsea Dagger was the first of two songs during the encore, which is by a song from their 2008 album, ‘A Heady Tale’, which gives off more of a piano-pop vibe.
Unfortunately, the encore is disrupted by a mammoth fight, resulting in one man pinned up against the wall by his throat. Still, it adds to the entertainment value.
Overall, the band exceeds expectations. Their energetic performance mean they do live up to their highly anticipated comeback in which is hopefully not one of their last UK shows.