Bridewell Taxis @ Bien Venue
By Luke Ross
The second coming of Bridewell Taxis was given the official seal of approval by fans after a barnstorming set at Pudsey's Bien Venue. Coming in the wake of a triumphant re-union show at Joseph's Well in October, the band's second appearance was always going to be the acid test. While the Well gig was a euphoric trip down memory lane and will be remembered by Bridewell's fans for years to come, the Bien Venue show was arguably far more significant in terms of progression for the new-look band. And, pleasingly for the followers who are willing them to succeed this time around, the performance represented a strong step forward for the band. Their sound was tighter than two months earlier at the Well and the overall quality of the performance was far superior.
Vocalist Mick Roberts was on top form, guitarists Sean McElhone and Jules Metcalfe complimented each other well, while drummer Glenn Scullion and bass player James Metcalfe locked together impressively. Jules' impact on guitar erased any lingering doubts about the decision to re-form minus the trademark trombone, and the result is a rawer, more powerful sound than last time around.
The Bridewells opened and closed the Pudsey show with Honesty - much to the delight of the crowd - and ran through a host of tunes old and new. Re-worked crowd favourites such as Whole Damn Nation, Wild Boar, Spirit and Just Good Friends sound fresher while Honesty and Give In retain their familiarity yet with a different dimension.
Hold On is another of the older tunes which stands alone and the band delivered a spine tingling version at Pudsey.
Face in the Crowd and Moving Fast were both well received while Change The Way I Feel, the band's latest offering, provided confirmation that the Bridewells are more than capable of writing catchy material and the aptly-named "New Song" further enhanced the band's credentials that they are looking to the future rather than relying on past glories. The audience, a good natured crowd there to enjoy the evening, showed their appreciation, and the band exited the stage knowing full well that they are well poised to move onwards and upwards.
One long-time fan said: "I can't believe that was only the 2nd live gig in 14 years - they sounded excellent. I liked the sound of the new songs and the old ones sounded class without the trombone."
Another follower, who had missed the Joseph's Well return, echoed those sentiments. "The songs new and old were terrific," he said. "It's like the band haven't been away."
Taking the show to Bien Venue was a gamble for the Bridewells - it is an unusual venue that bears more of a resemblance to a small Town Hall - but it was a punt that paid off and the band were rewarded with yet another sell-out crowd.
Their next date is a Christmas Party at Leeds Uni's Mine Bar and the band have already confirmed that will be their last hometown date for four months. By the time they return to Leeds, on the evidence of their last two shows, it's safe to say that they will be looking at bigger venues to accommodate their fast-growing army of fans. With more new material to be added to their set and a tour already being planned, the Bridewell Taxis look well set for 2006.
As resurrections go, this is turning out to be a good one.
