Embrace, Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton - review

They’ve had plenty of hits, carry a loyal fanbase, have big shows and big tunes galore in their repertoire, and yet they’ve never really made the breakthrough into the wider nation’s affections.

They’d certainly deserve it.

Maybe they’re too humble, too nice. Many would think they’re probably too big to be playing the Slade Rooms (which sold out in the blink of an eye).

Yet the brothers McNamara (singer Danny and guitarist Richard) and band seem happy in their surroundings.

In Wolvo, the first anthem lands early with ‘All you good, good people’ offering a taste of things to come.

What follows is an hour and half of perfectly crafted indie-pop, ranging from the classic ballad of ‘Gravity’ to the bar-room grunge of ‘One Big Family’.

One criticism of the band in the studio is that some of their material has been over-produced at times.

Cleaned-up of sonic gimmickry, ‘OBF’ sounds stronger than on record, as does a storming ‘Come Back to What You Know’.

As the impressive set tears on, only the Wolverhampton’s crowd’s wobbly vocals muddy the outstanding ‘Follow You Home’, but you can forgive their enthusiasm.

Storming set closer ‘Ashes’ is worth the ticket price alone, while new songs ‘Where You Sleeping’ and ‘Wake Up Call’ suggest the future’s still bright for the Yorkshire band.

Wrapping things up with ‘The Good Will Out’ saw sweat dripping from the low-cut ceiling of this cracking city centre venue with the biggest singalong this side of mighty Molineux.

A good, good time was had by all.