Live Review: Treeboy & Arc Single Release Show, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 13/6/19

published | 19/06/19

Live Review: Treeboy & Arc Single Release Show, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 13/6/19

Words | Matthew Beckett-White

Photo : Treeboy and Arc - @bandsonfilm

Leeds-based five-piece Treeboy & Arc celebrated the release of their latest single, 'Concept', with a free show at theBrudenell Social Club, supported by Nottingham post-punkers Do Nothing and fellow Leeds-band L.D. Moses.

Having released their latest single on the same record label that has put out tracks by black midi and Squid, there was an inevitable buzz around Treeboy & Arc. But prior to their set, L.D. Moses warmed up the crowd, combining rich synthesised sounds and catchy guitar riffs soaked in chorus and reverb. They were followed by Do Nothing, whose frontman Chris Bailey emanated confidence while resting his foot on a stage monitor, his speak-sung vocals accompanied by frenzied gesticulations.

Treeboy & Arc then took to the stage, their boundless energy displayed from the very start, with guitarist George Townend breaking a string not a minute into the opening track. The band's guitars were seemingly not on their side during the performance, with vocalist and guitarist Ben Morgan's strap unfastening mid-song, unable to endure his frenetic and vigorous movements. However, this didn't hinder them from delivering an incredibly captivating performance.

The crowd displayed immense excitement upon hearing the opening line of 'Concept', released through Dan Carey's label 'Speedy Wunderground'. 

'Concept' is a compelling track from start to finish, with a vocal delivery reminiscent of Mark E. Smith, and vivid lyrics describing 'great chunks of galvanised flesh' falling from 'holes in the sky'. Morgan describes the song as "kind of an existential stream of consciousness". Live, the band propel through the track with relentless energy, bassist James Kayproviding manic backing vocals during the song's unexpectedly anthemic chorus: 'And people move / Seamlessly through / This cavity / That we call home'. Isaac Turner's drumming acts as a driving force throughout the track; his intricate fills are successful in stitching together the song's various sections.

The band closed the set with their 2017 track 'Austere'. A synth line played by Sammy Robinson is accompanied by a powerful drum beat, then joined with a hypnotising riff utilising harmonised guitars. The track eventually reaches a turbulent climax, with Morgan releasing guttural roars into the microphone with an almost intimidating intensity.

Morgan's stage presence in particular stood out to me; several points throughout the performance found him poised at the very edge of the stage, delivering lyrics straight to the audience like a post-punk preacher.

If Treeboy & Arc are playing near you, make sure you're part of the congregation.

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