What can we say about Friday night? It was a night that left us voiceless until the middle of Sunday, a night that rubber-stamped Adult Leisure’s place amongst the elite of Bristol bands. In just three short years, AL’s reputation for selling out venues across the city with a live show that matches anything you’d see at the bigger arenas has propelled the four-piece, consisting of Neil Scott (vocals), David Woolford (guitar), James Laing (bassist), and Nathan Searle (drums), to the front of the queue of must-see live acts from the city.
Friday night’s sold-out show at The Exchange had a celebratory feel from the start, coinciding with the release of the new EP “Present State Of Joy And Grief.” The bar was packed as we arrived, with gig-goers swapping stories of how they first came to know the band and trying to outdo each other with how long they’d been friends with the band members – all in good-natured banter.
As we entered the dark main room, the atmosphere was already built to the point that the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd were dancing and singing along to the house music. Drinks were flowing, and smiles adorned every face as people jostled for the best view of the stage.
Something special was brewing in the air as those at the front leaned forward for a glimpse of the set list secured to the stage floor. How many of the new EP would be played? Which Adult Leisure classics would make the cut? Let’s just say no one was going to leave disappointed this night.
The new EP comes less than a year after the debut EP “The Weekend Ritual,” which saw the band championed by Radio One as “ones to watch” for 2023. The new releases showcase perfectly both the progress of the band and their consistency in producing some of the best alt-indie music coming out of the UK right now.
As the house lights dimmed and the silhouettes of David, James, and Nathan cut shapes on stage, the familiar cries of “G’wan Neil” echoed through the room, beckoning the front man to take up position. In an instant, the performance area became a sea of fog, the lights buzzed and crackled into life, and Neil appeared, exploding into the new EP opener “All For You.” Standing at the front, you were acutely aware of the release of energy in the room. Adult Leisure knows how to craft a performance that enables them to own a crowd like a puppet master pulling the strings.
By the time Neil picked up the tambourine for a perfect rendition of “Modern Son,” there was no turning back; the genie was out of the bottle, and this night was going to be a pure party. The set included every track from the new EP and its predecessor, with both older and newer material going down a storm with the frenzied crowd. Adult Leisure is such an accessible band, singing relatable songs with a crisp, clear vocal and bubbling with the hookiest of hooks.
Mid-set, the tempo momentarily slowed as we got a full crowd participation cover of “Purple Rain” and a hair-on-the-back-of-the-neck rendition of “Mother” in tribute to Neil’s late mum. The poise in performance and reverence in every lyric still induce goosebumps as I write this review.
The party atmosphere isn’t away for long; however, as personal new EP favorite “Bad Idea” with its instantly recognizable riff rips through the room. This is a track made for tapping the steering wheel and singing as loud as you can as you sit at the traffic lights, oblivious to the stares from other road users and not caring anyway. We end with two old favorites in “Control” and, of course, “Things You Don’t Know Yet,” which sees the two confetti cannons burst open and the front half of The Exchange enveloped in a sea of red. It caps a tremendous evening and one that would have gone on for many more hours if licensing laws permitted, with both the band and the crowd eager to stay in the moment for as long as possible.
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@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
