The first opener was Sancho Panza – sort of. Rail strikes reduced the quintet to a solo artist for the night, but nonetheless this was a cracking way to warm up the crowd. Aided onstage by his friends, we were treated to smooth vocals, a gorgeous acoustic guitar, and lots of laughs.
After a quick break, the Lydons took to the stage, and delivered the opener to end all openers. Hugely impressive for such a newly formed band of youngsters, these lads brought an awesome energy to their setlist, with some staggering vocals and truly epic chemistry. Lydons certainly have a bright future ahead of them!
It was then time for the main event, and Headshrinkers certainly delivered. We’ve come to expect a quality opening from them, and things certainly set off with a ‘Bang Bang’. One of my favourite tracks from the group, this was a truly joyous way to kick off the set.
The four-piece group have amassed a small but ferociously loyal following, and for good reason. Their discography has such a unique quality, balancing Scarlett’s awesome drum beats with frontman Garran’s stunning observational poetry, and some heavy guitar work from Xavier and James.
From their ‘Doorway Conversations’ EP to a range of standalone singles, the band have only put out a limited number of tracks (though we’ve been promised that there is another EP in the works), and yet have already accumulated an impressive number of absolute anthems.
Perhaps their greatest quality is the pure chemistry between the band members. Each one adds something incredibly special to the mix, and they were a delight to watch on stage. This is a group of performers, who seem so at ease on stage and with each other, and who make the crowd feel at ease too. They’re brilliantly funny, and their live sound is absolutely impeccable, juggling professionalism and relatability.
We were treated to the phenomenal ‘Haggard Muggins’, where the originality of Garran’s vocals really shone, ‘Interrobang’ with the sickest of all bass lines, and the highlight of their set was of course the immense ‘Plasticine’ mosh pit (on a Sunday of all days) which rounded out the night.
Hare & Hounds is a well-established and much-beloved venue in Birmingham, having hosted artists like Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding, and being the site of UB40’s first ever gig. Sunday solidified Headshrinkers’ place in Hare & Hounds’ iconic guestlist, and if you get the chance to catch them at one of their upcoming shows, they are not to be missed.