Yard Act at La Belle Angele, Edinburgh – You’re Gonna Need A Little Music (gig review)

Right from the off, Yard Act singer James Smith promised us this wasn’t going to be any old promotional gig. Gone was the usual small selection of new songs next to the old favourites for excited fans to lap up. 

Tonight, the La Belle Angele crowd in Edinburgh were treated to a complete run-through from start to finish of the post-punk outfit’s latest, and at the time unreleased album, You’re Gonna Need A Little Music. 

You can see why Yard Act were keen to show off their baby in all its newly born glory. This is the first album they’ve recorded live as a band, and it impressed in its easy translation.

Right from ‘Empty Pledges’, the band had everyone’s attention. It came snarling out of the blocks with an energy similar to early-70s Stones.

‘New Beginnings’ was next, which is a song Smith joked he’d hoped would be used if England had won the World Cup.

Smith is well renowned for his on-stage banter, and he lived up to his reputation. A wide array of topics were covered, from the merits of an Irn-Bru float at Nando’s to the quality of kids’ TV. For someone who’s recently turned his talents to painting, you wouldn’t be surprised to find him further stretching out and doing observational stand-up.

Don’t worry, they haven’t deserted the values they made their name on. They’re just speaking their minds over some of the finest indie-pop tunes you’ll hear in recent times. To hear a complete album in full is often reserved for established acts revisiting their past. For Yard Act it was evidence that their future is about to explode.

Bizarrely, when they finished the album and started taking requests from the crowd, the energy shifted slightly. ‘The Trapper’s Pelts’ for instance, felt drawn out to the brink of self-indulgence. 

It was a minor quibble. Just ask anyone who was there.

As the lights came up and a victorious group headed for their dressing room, the PA played ‘You Give a Little Love’, from Bugsy Malone. The entire crowd made their way outside, desperate to catch their breath.

‘What’s wrong with being proud? ‘Smith chanted during ‘Empty Pledges’. Right now, Yard Act have a lot to be elated about: being both one of the best live acts around and having created this genuine Album of the Year contender.