Following the success of their debut EP, and nearing the completion of the UK tour, The Music return home to a sold out (and then some), heaving and very hot Leeds Warehouse, a gig that also welcomes Liverpool's The Coral. Tonight is the hometown spectacular, the pinnacle of The Music's continued success - completing recent gigs with Oasis and The Charlatans for starters - and an event that should see acceptance from within the community that from their very own doorsteps, The Music may just be "the next big thing".So why is it then, that a proportion of the audience members subsequently leave tonight's proceedings feeling very empty? It can't be because of a lack of talent - The Music ensured that they delivered an outstanding set of a well-honed formula. Perhaps it is in the formula itself, which has a guitar effects generated dance rock leaning, but doesn't stray much from song to song: a lack of diversity is an obvious and direct criticism. Perhaps it's simply musical taste that is preventing everyone from accepting The Music for what they do.
Or could it be that they followed an awesome set from The Coral, who started very slowly but ended on a storming high, a truly ear-blasting set.
Whatever the reason, I don't know the answer. Yet, it puzzled me that until "Take The Long Road And Walk It" the reaction was generally lukewarm - many perplexed with the show before them - leaving the more accustomed fans to cheer, shout and dance with enough zest to cover for everyone else. It was only as the gig progressed to the conclusion, including a triumphant "The Walls Get Smaller", that those gathered began to participate in the show. Yet, by this point it was over.
Still, regardless of what those around me were thinking or doing, I had a great time - The Music, especially Robert Harvey's vocal delivery, continue to impress me and I look forward to the release of their next single.
