Friday 1 March 2024: Yard Act are in Bristol’s Rough Trade to play two shows to celebrate and promote the release of their sophomore album Where’s My Utopia? I kick-started the evening meeting up with new ‘Gig-Friends’ who seem to be at ALL the gigs at The Lanes, a venue situated a stone’s throw from Rough Trade.

Before I knew it, I was welcomed by music fan Arlo and Pintsized Punk fanzine writer to celebrate his 14th birthday! Now, I’m not saying that The Lanes is THE place to be, but when the chaps from Yard Act themselves pay us a visit, looking for a good place to bowl and get promptly turned away owing to it being packed beyond belief, you have to ask the question…. unlucky guys!

After the band had finally sourced a bowling establishment (at least I hope they did!) it was soon time to head to the venue. I picked up a copy of the album for them to sign later after their set.

The show had a very different feel to the time I saw them promoting their debut album a year or so ago. This time, they were more relaxed about the whole affair and there was little mention of chart positions. Frontman James Smith proclaimed, “We don't care if you buy it!” He laughed and then went on to say they had been told by their label that they are a culturally important band whatever happens! 

The band are clearly relaxed and open to making up their setlist as they go along and not just sticking rigidly to tracks from the new album. This felt like a smart move as their album had only been out for a matter of hours. After a quick half-hearted rendition of Teenage Kicks, the band kick off with the first new song of the evening, ‘Fizzy Fish’ which makes for a raucous, post-punk noise with a humorous start as Smith admits to not being able to use the sampler he seems to have just got in time for the gig on the amusement of the whole band, especially bassist Ryan Needham who keeps laughing and mocking him for “being so annoying” throughout the gig! The song ends with a mantra I will follow from this very day onwards….. “Stay strange and be ace and keep that silly grin plastered across your stupid fucking face!” 

There’s something thrilling and intriguing in hearing new songs for the first time, played 3 feet in front of you. The songs seem like they already have a life of their own and will probably sound different again when the band embarks on their UK tour later this month. ‘Down by the Stream’ tells a childhood tail of bullying, and sees Smith seeking redemption in his lyrics for being a “prick” to a fellow school mate. ‘Grifter’s Grief’ has a bassline that has everyone moving and a groove that demands that you dance instantly.

The band are here to have a laugh and constantly interact with a lively crowd that is more than happy to shout out requests as the band leaves the rest of their set open to them. Thankfully they went with both my shouts, maybe because I was about an inch away from the band and dead center! Oldy but goody, and clear crowd favourite ‘Fixer-Upper’ ensues with everyone knowing the words whilst Smith delivers the lyrics at lightning speed whilst gripping his face and making strained facial expressions throughout! 

‘100% Endurance’ is the set closer, another one of my shouts! Doesn't get much better than that! I think I have listened to this song more than any other over the last year. And then they were gone! Just after I let off Arolo’s birthday Party Popper which nestled nicely in James Smith's hair!

They then whisked themselves off to sign Vinyl, CDs and even one fan’s beer can.

The whole thing has given me a thirst for more Live Yard Act, as I will be going to see them on several occasions this year no doubt. It also left me wanting to get to know the new album far better than I currently do, which isn’t that well at all as it has a certain funky and even poppy nature that was absent from their debut.

Tonight was a night full of fun, new tunes and old bangers.

Where’s My Utopia? is available to BUY and STREAM now.

Review by Matt Barnes