The stock in Lonely The Brave is on a remarkable rise. Formed from the pieces of various other Cambridge based bands, they released their debut album ‘The Days War’ in September last year, cracking the UK chart Top 20 and tonight sees them start off their biggest UK headline tour to date with a sold out show at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach.
Warming up the crowd tonight is singer songwriter, Hannah Lou Clark who unfortunately has to put up with a polite yet largely uninterested crowd. Hannah’s live sound, while overall nice enough to listen to as background music could really do with the addition of a live band in order to help make the crowd look up and pay attention. The songs are good enough but the sound of one electric guitar and the occasional sample gets easily lost amongst the cavernous room.
Step up Lonely The Brave, who set expectations with a prolonged atmospheric intro which is just long enough before launching into ‘Call of Horses.’ Frontman, David Jakes vocals are absolutely spot on, which for a band such as Lonely The Brave is absolutely vital. Confidence-wise too, David is miles ahead of his old self, now facing towards the crowd, it makes an almighty difference, especially as he gets into the moment more and more as the set goes on.
Lonely The Brave aren’t short on songs to fill Clwb Ifor Bach either. ‘Trick of the Light’ keeps up the pace nicely and the live showing of two new songs does little to dampen the crowds enthusiasm. It’s the final few songs of the set though that really set things alight… fan favourite ‘The Blue The Green’ gets an excellent airing to an absolutely rapterous reception before the band launch into the gargantuan ‘Black Saucers.’ It’s the set ending ‘Backroads’ that really send the chills down the spine, as the band leave the stage to a crowd shouting “I’ll be the sky and you’ll be the bird” right back at them.
As the lights come up amongst the closing music it becomes apparent that there is to be no encore and that’s just how it needs to be tonight. It’s clear that Lonely The Brave are set for much bigger venues than this and the band can reflect on a job very well done tonight.