The Crofters Rights, 24th March
GIG OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
The Luka State are perhaps the most authentic and real band we have had the pleasure to review.
What they are: four working class lads, from a working class town. Singing about REAL issues that affect REAL people. What they are not: pretentious, preachy, wannabe famous above all else rockstars.
Conrad Ellis (voice, guitar), Sam Bell (bass, voice), Jake Barnabas (drums) and Lewis Pusey (guitar) would give it all their blood, sweat n tears whether they were playing the dog n duck or Wembley Stadium. The honesty & integrity of this band ouse from ever lyric of sophomore album “More Than This”. A concept album that acts as a battle cry for the forgotten and down trodden.
Whether its taking a stand against the class system. Or the difficulties of addiction and challenges of a downward mental health spiral, their heart of sleeve way of performing is a slap around the face to apathy.
The live performance is nothing short of breath taking as they eviscerate the stage at a sold out Crofters. Conrad Ellis possesses one of the best male vocals in the Uk at the moment. The husky rasp full of rage, angst & frustration. Sam and Lewis simply do not stop moving. From high kick jumps, to finger bleeding string work. All backed up by the drums of Jake who sets the tempo for a full throttle set, that is utterly unrelenting. The buckets of sweat flying off the band should be bottled and sold under the label “pure passion”.
The 12 song set feels like a giant plea for us all to be a little kinder to those around us. And to look out for one another. 9 songs from the album are delivered at the pace of a formula one car. The band screaming for the crowd to give it everything they have on each track.
Hearing “Bring Us Down” (a song that is my go to whenever I feel unappreciated or like i’m failing) live is a incredible personal moment. “Kick In The Teeth”, “Bury Me”, “Tightrope” and “Oxygen Thief” provide a utter cathartic release of such buried, pent up anger and frustration its like a therapy session in itself.
By the time we reach “More Than This” I am emotionally spent. Thank you LS
@thebristolgigguide
@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
