Jonny's Nubile Disco @ Carpe Diem
By Ben SmithIt's Leeds Festival Weekend and the majority of Leeds' revellers seemed to have poured to Bramham Park as many folk stagger around the City centre in wellies and, for girls, the obligatory tiny denim shorts and aviators.
Despite feeling rather sleepy when Jonny's Nubile Disco began after 11:30, I was instantly revived when he crashed into the intense Awake.
After a few songs, I found myself lurching back against the bar against the battering of the onslaught, needing a few moments of respite. With the pub having begun to empty during the earlier bands, the noise rattled around the bar to dizzying effect. Though it would have been easy to turn in a below-par display due to the lack of attendees, Jon showed considerable chutzpah to put in a performance full of vim and vigour.
Translating Holding Me Down from the artist's Self-Love alter ego by trading in a bluesy sound for frazzled guitars worked surprisingly well and offered a change in tone.
Having earlier heard Jonny (without his Nubile Disco in tow) wax lyrical on attending a recent My Bloody Valentine gig, comparisons can be drawn tonight with his comments about the sheer ferocity of the experience; the almost uncomfortable guitar fuzz emanating from the stage and heavy layered sound.
Closing with the "gayest song you've ever heard" Big Bad Brad and the immersive Come With Me, those who had stayed were witness to a well-oiled run through a contagious set-list.
One would be hard-pressed to describe the overall feel of the set but perhaps it could be likened to a late night session on a computer game versions of Japanese Battle Royale with the sound turned up full blast. Visceral, violent and vivacious.
