Stepping out on stage for their second night of playing the renowned Barrowlands was The Lathums. Kicking off their tour the night before to a sold out crowd, there were high expectations for the crowd to match the energy of the first night, and it’s safe to say they exceeded all expectations with the help of The Lathums incredible music that brought the venue to life.
At 8pm, Vida entered the stage, a band from Clackmannanshire. It’s always special seeing a Scottish band playing the Barrowlands, knowing that the iconic venue will be a significant milestone for them. They instantly had the crowd clapping along, with their punchy instrumentals and having hits like ‘Fade Away’ that everybody knew. Letting the crowd know that they are going on a small Scottish tour in April as well, they definitely promise a great headline set after seeing the amazing support they put on for The Lathums.
Taking to the stage at 9pm was the headline of the night, opening with the song, ‘No Direction’ felt like a direct reflection on a band as Alex Moore, lead vocals, sang the line, ‘For there’s no direction, but up’. A song off their new album and showcasing how there truly is no stopping the band as they continue to grow and create even more outstanding music, always outdoing themselves each and every time.
One thing that is easy to recognise is that the band from Wigan have some of the best instrumentals in the UK indie-rock scene at the moment, the guitar solos were packed with energy and their talent as a whole is unmissable. With Moore’s voice having such unique qualities to it, every word he sang was clear and it felt refreshing to hear a band with such promise and direction as they know exactly what they’re doing when they step foot on that stage.
The set slowed down from a few songs as the rest of the band left, leaving just Moore and his acoustic guitar for a small acoustic set. Beginning it with the title track of their debut album, ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be,’ the crowd was quickly captivated with the soft vocals as the energetic set paused to allow us to appreciate the talent in the lyricism that the band displays in their music.
This wasn’t one of the only special moments, one was during the song, ‘Struggle’ as the song was overflowing with emotion and passion as it was performed. It felt as if Moore was pouring his heart out as everyone watched, full of admiration for the clear connection the band not only felt together, but also the connection to their music.
There is always something special about going to a gig and knowing everyone there shares a link, the same love for the same music. At The Lathums there was a connection that fuelled the room as ‘Sad Face Baby’ closed the night. It was incredible watching such a diverse audience, filled with different ages, yet every single person had the exact same reaction. Everybody jumping and singing along to a phenomenal song with the people around them, living in the moment and experiencing it, it felt like watching the definition of what a gig is supposed to be. The energy in the room at that moment was something rare and amazing to watch and couldn’t have happened without the connection that can so easily be felt to The Lathums music.
It’s easy to recognise the talent that the 4-piece indie rock band hold, they have a clear idea of what they want to create and that translates to incredible music and performances. They are a powerhouse of passion and energy as they set the room alight, the crowd unable to not enjoy the infectious energy in the room as they own the stage. The Lathums are continuing to exceed expectations every time they perform, and there truly is no stopping them.