Live Review: The Snuts

This is the second time I have seen The Snuts live and the first where they had headlined.

I arrived during the break before the last of The Snuts’ whopping four supporting acts, just in time to catch four-piece Brummie band The Clause. The very first thing that caught my eye was the turtleneck a member had on– ill-suited for the heat of the stage but befitting their self-described ‘60’s swagger with an 80’s groove complimented by a 90’s attack.’ Rocking along to their new single ‘Cruella,’ a runway-strut worthy tune, it seems apt that what made them stand out was their eclectic fashion sense and clear sense of identity.

I had only ever passed by the O2 Institute before. With its carved balconies peaking through a misty blue haze, the venue appeared to be packed with people of all ages. People hyped up from the football game earlier that day and couples waiting to hear their song make up much of the audience, a far cry from other live music events I had been to whose audience more resembled myself.

As The Snuts stroll on stage, sunglasses on, drinks in hand, it struck me how different the atmosphere was the last time I saw them. This was all sticky floors and dark walls, in August, soft grass and wide-open spaces. It delighted me to discover that both lend themselves to absolute enjoyment of the band’s set.

This is one of those songs that is sure to stay with you long after

Repping their native Scotland, a pre-recorded monologue reminiscent of Fall Out Boy’s ‘Thriller’ introduces ‘Glasgow,’ a folksy, nostalgic ballad that sings of leaving ‘home’ for the ‘big bad city.’ Lead singer Jack Cochrane’s melancholic vocals are contrasted by bright whistles that close out the song. This is one of those songs that is sure to stay with you long after.

‘All Your Friends’ is carried by simple guitar and lyric motifs that effectively convey the inescapable and suffocating nature of drug-addled memories. By then I had migrated from the stuffy bar to the breeze near the smoking area, next to people who all seemed to know every song off by heart. ‘Always’ wears one of those common names that every band seems to have. The Snuts’ version clearly connects with their audience, many swaying along to its mellower melody.

If ‘Seasons’ embodies the band’s soaring choruses, ‘Boardwalk’ feels like floating– until it explodes in a conclusion that shoots through your waterlogged head. The still-up-at-3am acoustics of ‘Top Deck’ marked the midpoint of the band’s set, before swiftly diving into the manic, caffeine-fueled ‘Coffee & Cigarettes.’ The backing vocals shone in this ode to a healthy person’s breakfast, its energy extending to ‘Don’t Forget It (Punk)’, in which the band proudly proclaims its counterculture stance. At this point bassist Callum Wilson had thrown his ‘Tax the Rich’ top into the crowd, performing shirtless for the rest of the night.

the feel-good anthem is a crowd favourite, for good reason

‘Maybe California’ has a cheerful melody that channels the uniquely American doo-wop. In contrast, its music video evokes a deep sense of sonder– every person you meet has a darker inner life under their sunny exteriors. The band seems to be a fan of irony, selling rolling papers at the merchandise stand that reads ‘smoking kills.’ Cochrane encouraged the audience to love each other before ‘Somebody Loves You,’ perhaps the most pop-sounding, radio-friendly song of the night. The feel-good anthem is a crowd favourite, for good reason. The gig ended rather abruptly with a single-song encore. The bass-heavy ‘What’s Going On’ got the audience’s energy up, and the set felt much too short as a result.

It is refreshing to see a band who so clearly connects with their whole repertoire, who during the gig pointedly distinguished themselves from those who refuse to do their old songs. If you enjoy their sound, rest assured you would love it a million times more live. With a stacked agenda this festival season and many more to come, this won’t be the last you hear of The Snuts.

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