They are one of our city’s finest musical exports and now, after some time away, ambient rock outfit Eyre Llew are officially back. Once again performing live and this time with a second album in the bank, we went along to their hometown show at The Bodega to hear how the new music is coming along…
If Eyre Llew’s triumphant return to The Bodega didn’t already feel like an event, entering the venue at the same time as local Notts superstar Katie Keddie certainly added to the occasion. When other artists of Katie’s calibre are turning up to support, you know you are in for something special. The great thing about tonight too is that it’s not just Eyre Llew I am eager to see – the support line-up is a stacked one too.
Whilst another local band were unfortunately unable to play, their replacement The Albions, who got the gig off the back of a successful Instagram campaign, prove they are up to the task. Bringing with them what feels like enough youthful energy to power the entire room, they channel the spirit of The Libertines with their dual frontmen, stuttering riffs and smart suits. Despite being a band less than a year they already show plenty of promise, with tracks like England, Dorian Grey and Copy & Paste all impressing. Lead guitarist Joe then takes over lead vocal duties for the particularly excellent, Jamie T-esque Everything I Do, before upcoming debut single Far Away closes their short set with a bang.
A bit of miscommunication with the set times mean we then sadly miss the start of local singer-songwriter Drew Thomas’ set, as he and his band are already in full swing once we return from a break in Cobden Chambers. “This one is about loving the same sex!” he declares, as the super catchy melody of Girls Like Girls rings out around The Bodega loft, getting the audience instantly grooving away. Follow up Twenties is equally infectious, while forthcoming single You, Me & Desire – out this Friday – shows he has plenty more earworms still to be revealed. His band sound fantastic too, his guitarist stepping forward at one point to shred at the front of the stage to the awe of the audience.
The set feels like it’s only just getting started when one final performance of Smoke sees Drew thank the crowd before exiting the stage. They say you should always leave the crowd wanting more; well, this was my first time catching Drew perform and I already can’t wait for the next one.
Finally, it is then time for the main event and while the two supports brought plenty of zing, Eyre Llew’s set is a different beast altogether. Their energy is one that simply can’t be described adequately enough, with walls of towering, atmospheric guitars and Sam Heaton’s stunning, ethereal vocals lifting everyone in The Bodega loft away to what feels like another dimension. As they take the audience on a breathtaking journey across the soundscapes of Nova, Atelo and Silo, everyone is locked in, captivated by the majesty of the music emanating from the stage.
After the soaring rock riffs of Havoc dissipate into gorgeous, ambient piano, frontman Sam Heaton gives the news everyone’s been waiting to hear: “We just finished recording our second album.” One of the tracks expected to be on that new record is Oban, another stunner of a track about dreaming of living off the West Coast of Scotland.
Shortly after there’s a brief shuffle in the line-up too, Laurie Illingworth stepping out from behind the keys to play guitar while ever-present guitarist Jack Bennett takes his spot at the back of the stage. The talent of the musicians on stage is just mind-blowing at times, with Bennett also using a violin bow at points to stir the sounds out of his guitar.
After the scintillating duo of Miningsby and Rainbow Bridge, Sam says there won’t be an encore tonight, but they will hang around to greet and chat to everyone after the show. With plenty of friends, family and local fans in to support, it’s great to see the band making the time to personally thank as many of them as possible. However before they get to that, there’s still time for one final epic performance, with the band closing things out magnificently and victoriously on debut album favourite, Edca.
From start to finish, this show was just an absolute joy, one that had me on Cloud 9 still days afterwards. From fun and energetic support to jaw-droppingly beautiful and cathartic musicianship, it was a Saturday night that made me proud to be a Notts local.
Welcome back Eyre Llew, it’s been too long!
Eyre Llew performed at The Bodega on Saturday 14th September 2024.
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