Raw Power, Working-Class Spirit, and the Soundtrack of Frustration
Winsford, Cheshire. It’s not a name you’re likely to associate with rock ‘n’ roll, but The Luka State are determined to change that. And after Sunday night’s electrifying performance, it’s clear they’re well on their way to putting their hometown on the map.
The four-piece—fronted by Conrad Ellis (vocals, guitar) alongside Sam Bell (bass, vocals), Jake Barnabas (drums), and Lewis Pusey (guitar)—might take their name from an old friend they met in Toronto, but The Luka State is about much more than nostalgia. Luca Gismondi’s carefree and positive outlook inspired the band to channel that same ethos into their music. This isn’t just a name; it’s a manifesto.
Since their formation in 2012, The Luka State have made a name for themselves with relentless energy, anthemic hooks, and a knack for storytelling. Their breakthrough single, “Bury Me” (2018), announced their arrival with swagger and purpose, but it’s their 2023 sophomore album, More Than This, that has cemented them as a force to be reckoned with. The record tackles weighty themes—mental health, social injustice, personal struggle—but never feels heavy-handed. Instead, it pulses with raw emotion and the urgency of a band who know exactly who they are.
But it’s on stage where The Luka State truly come alive. Dubbed The Bristol Gig Guide’s “Favourite Live Act of 2023,” the quartet returned to the city last weekend as part of their Going the Distance UK/EU tour. Playing to a packed crowd at The Exchange, they delivered the kind of set that turns casual listeners into lifelong fans.
Opening with the adrenaline-soaked “Insert Girl’s Name Here” and “Bring Us Down,” the band wasted no time setting the tone. This was a show built for intensity, with Conrad Ellis’s gravelly, goosebump-inducing vocals at the helm. New tracks like “Liar” and “Conspiracy” stood out as powerful anthems, reaffirming that The Luka State are still evolving while staying true to their raw, emotional roots.
The set also leaned heavily on highlights from More Than This, with tracks like “Tightrope” serving as sonic accelerants, pushing the pace and driving the crowd into a frenzy. The rhythm section of Sam Bell and Jake Barnabas locked in like a runaway freight train, while Lewis Pusey’s guitar work cut through the chaos with precision. This isn’t just a frontman and a backing band—The Luka State are a finely tuned engine firing on all cylinders.
What sets them apart, though, is their authenticity. There’s nothing manufactured here, no calculated attempts to chase trends. The Luka State are four working-class lads writing songs for people who feel overlooked and forgotten. Their music is steeped in anger and frustration, but it’s never nihilistic. Instead, it feels defiant—an outstretched fist demanding to be seen and heard.
The climax of the night came with the one-two punch of “Oxygen Thief” and “Bury Me,” tracks that turned The Exchange into a powder keg of emotion. The room shook, the crowd roared, and for a few cathartic moments, it felt like anything was possible.
In an era where so many bands play it safe, The Luka State are a breath of fresh air. They’re not just making music; they’re capturing the pulse of a country on edge.
This isn’t just rock ‘n’ roll. This is revolution.
@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
