The Beat Surrender

The last time I came to see The Dears live was in the same venue in Leeds, fortunately it’s been done out since then so the current condition we find the venue would have been much better suited to us last time. To be fair that was all self inflicted as both my mate and me had been on long benders the couple of nights before the gig and we probably weren’t in the right frame of mind.

It still didn’t stop us from enjoying it don’t get me wrong, it’s just sometimes if you aren’t feeling a hundred percent at a gig then you can end up feeling a little bit restless and you find yourself almost willing it to be over. No such problems for us tonight though as we are all looking forward to it, my mate has come back to join me for a second instalment with the band and it’s a first time to see them for my girlfriend.

As always whenever I go to a gig it’s not as straightforward as just arriving, getting in to the venue in good time and watching the whole show in comfort. Tonight we’ve chosen to nip for a bite to eat round the corner at the Elbow Rooms (my favourite bar in Leeds), so a quick plate of cheesy chips (served by a one of the best looking barmaids in Leeds who insists on bending over your table in a low cut top – not ideal when the Mrs is with you really!) and a beer or two and my mate meets us at about quarter to nine.

This shouldn’t be a problem as at the Cockpit most headliners don’t come on before nine thirty and if it’s a really early gig maybe at nine. Oh but wait what’s this as we get to the door of the venue, stage time eight thirty! So we’ve already missed the first twenty minutes, including Lost In The Plot (well I’m presuming they played it) and we are a bit gutted.

Even more so when we settle into the performance for the last hour or so and you realise what an enthralling emotional ride Murray Lightburn takes you on when you see The Dears live. Every single song is dripping with emotion because quite simply the guy puts absolutely everything he has into every single note. It really does come as a breath of fresh air to see somebody so involved and so lost in what they are doing.

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