On 14th April 2011 at 17:27 Anonymous 13283 wrote...

This is a very harsh review of Sets. It reads as if you have a personal vendetta against the band! Unconstructive, dismissive and lacking in any actual assessment of the songs themselves or the instrumentation, this sort of irresponsible review is exactly the sort of thing that new and developing bands do not need or deserve. Totally within your rights to dislike the band, but the way this is written it sounds like the bands performance actually offended you in some way.

Arguing that you cannot comment on the songs themselves because you do not know what they were called is absurd. They introduced most of their songs with a title and even a story, so you clearly weren't paying enough attention.

BBC Introducing are beginning to back this band, and it seems to undermine both the BBC and a group of young musicians to write such a snide review. They didn't 'trample' on any atmosphere created, they did what their music demanded and they looked genuine when playing their songs. They have room for improvement (like any new band) and it might have been worth offering some constructive criticism instead of accusing the band of 'constant posturing' and then comparing their songs energy to Tom Williams & The Boat tracks, which seems totally irrelevant. Sets have taken a completely different musical direction to Tom Williams and The Boat, comparing the two made no sense.

As a critic your opinion is obviously valid, but there should be a modicum of responsibility and fairness in assessing a new band in what is an expansive and difficult industry to break in to. Such criticism is unnecessary and ill-considered.

Chris

On 14th April 2011 at 21:07 Dave LMS wrote...

I would have to disagree with the comment about undermining the BBC.

A negative review of an unsigned band on a regional website does not, accidentally or intentionally, undermine the BBC and I am sure this review has had zero impact on the opinions within the BBC about the band, or on those who listen to BBC Introducing, or on those who like the band. BBC Introducing will continue just fine after this review.

On 15th April 2011 at 14:40 Anonymous 10669 wrote...

Hi Stacey,

I'm sorry we came across as a bit over the top. We were excited to be playing our first gig at the Brudenell as we've been regulars there for a couple of years now and we were particularly keen to put on a show since we were supporting Tom Williams and the Boat who we know from home and have been friends and fans of since they first started out.

On the 5th of May we'll be playing at Mojo for the launch of a new Leeds Indie Radio night, it will be a more toned-down, acoustic show so there will be less emphasis on the performance and more on the songs. It would be great to see you down there.

Dominic

On 16th April 2011 at 21:11 Anonymous 11603 wrote...

I'm afraid it is a harsh review of Sets because I just didn't like them. It's a shame, because yes, it is nice for emerging bands to read positive things about themselves, but there we are. As they were new to me, I didn't know whether or not I was going to enjoy it. In the end I didn't.
Why am I snide? How am I undermining the BBC because I disagree with them? I review bands for enjoyment, and because I enjoy music, not because I have any 'responsibility' towards new bands.
Bit rich to tell me I have a personal vendetta, then accuse me of being snide and not paying attention, when I actually sat the front with a notepad for the entire gig.
Dominic, you needn't apologise. Your band is your band, and just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you have to apologise for how you perform.
Ah well, can't please them all. No intention to offend. I'm just gonna write what I think.

On 21st April 2011 at 22:50 Anonymous 7512 wrote...

I wasn't there on this occassion but I've seen sets a number of times and they are definitely not a wild beasts rip off band and I actually think they're very talented.

On 29th April 2011 at 14:55 Anonymous 13731 wrote...

A very unjust review of Sets, clearly you didn't but I LOVED the Sets show. I've seen them a few times before but this was undoubtedly their best show to date. The highlight for me being with that monstrous ending from 'Girls' as it's rare for me to find musical moments (outside of films) that can make my hairs stand on end! Though I think such a monumental ending would have fitted better ending their set(s). Also, I've been itching to hear that new song 'House No One Lives In' again since.

Like a child, a young band inevitably has much to learn and of course they're going to have their faults, where all of those 5 slightly misshaped pieces don't quite sit perfectly in place. Sets may have a somewhat of a naïve and underdeveloped sound, but it's easy to see (or hear, if you please) that they have the most important thing musicians could ask for, that... spark, the underlining compositional ability and true musical potential. Catchy hooks and memorable lyrics, it takes you a few seconds to realise you're humming their songs as you brush your teeth before bed. It's really only a matter of time before these guys create some real... can I say hits? Don't expect to see them in the top 10 anytime, but within this underground music scene we live within I personally see them flourishing with the release of a debut album.

On 29th April 2011 at 15:05 Anonymous 13731 wrote...

P.S

As much as I disagree that they sound like a Wild Beasts rip off, I suppose Sets should just accept that as a complement as we all know every successful musician in history has been 100% original. And also you know, Sets did in fact introduce their songs along with little anecdotes, so I'm not too sure why you were writing that they weren't naming the songs.