Crybabycry @ The Wardrobe, Leeds, 21 Jan
It’s sad to think we’re at the mighty Crybabycry’s final gig, though it’s heartening to see them take the LCD Soundsystem approach to a farewell shindig: if it’s a funeral, then let’s have the best funeral ever!
After a continued hiatus for the Wakefield rock'n'roll trio, they’ve returned to release one final EP, and play together for one last time. It’s clear from the turnout that this is a band who’ll be sadly missed from the Yorkshire music scene.
Tonight’s opener is Ryan Spendlove, who sets the tone with a bluesy, alt country gait. With songs full of pleasing guitar lines, interesting finger picking and bluesy slide guitar, he’s a good choice to pave the way for the headliners. His strong Yorkshire twang might be something of an acquired taste, but then we are in Yorkshire, and his solid melodies far outweigh any vocal criticism.
Following Spendlove are the Thomas Wilby Gang, a six-piece alt country/blues troupe who give us the feeling that we’ve accidentally ended up in a roadside bar in a nowhere town in middle-America – in a totally great way. All cowboy shirts, killer harmonies and slide guitar, their sound is distinctly Americana. Pour yourself a large bourbon and enjoy thinking you’re in Road House.
With the crowd nicely warmed up, Crybabycry take to the stage, humbled and thankful that so many people care enough about their departure to turn out and support one final time. Heading up the trio are Rosie Doonan and Jonny Firth, a power couple in the sphere of songwriting, producing bluesy rock'n'roll which is both vintage and contemporary. In spite of a recent break, the band are utterly on point, with a tight and slick show.
Their set nicely combines songs from the new EP along with plenty of old favourites. Doonan and Firth coolly flit between guitar and bass, with tight harmonies to boot. In particular Doonan’s vocal is stunning, drenched in Karen O-esque charm. The bass is fuzzy and filthy, and with drummer Jenn Thomas keeping things tightly wrapped with her furious, hard-hitting kit treatment, it sounds big and beefy as hell.
It has to be mentioned that the sound at The Wardrobe is phenomenal – clean, crisp, resonant, powerful. They’re currently rocking one of the best soundsystems in town, so it’s little wonder that their roster is continually upping its game.
And so it is: Crybabycry are no more. Undoubtedly Firth and Doonan will continue to write songs, prolific musicians that they are, and both with solo side-projects underway. A sad loss for music, but we’re certainly excited to see what they will do next.