WORDS AND IMAGES BY DESH KAPUR
The Snuts are one of my favourite bands at the moment, i first saw them at at Skeleton Coast Festival a few years back and I was immediately smitten, since then I have seen, photographed and reviewed them a fair few times, i have reviewed their debut long-player and nothing has changed I’m still smitten.
So, when I was confirmed to photograph and review their sold-out headline show at the Camp and Furnace I was over the moon,
The Snuts are a Scottish indie rock band formed in 2015, originating from West Lothian, Scotland. The band consists of Jack Cochrane (vocals and guitar), Joe McGillveray (guitar), Callum ’29’ Wilson (bass) and Jordan ‘Joko’ Mackay (drums)
But before The Snuts it was time for Heidi Curtis
Until tonight i have to admit Heidi Curtis was not on my radar, With no releases yet to her name, she is building her reputation on the live circuit and people are starting to talk, supporting the likes of Ben Howard and shows coming up with the Modfather himself Paul Weller everything is heading in the right direction for the multi-talented guitar playing lady. Stepping onto stage brimming with confidence, cheek and a crisp outfit, the captivating Hill gave the sold out Camp and Furnace crowd a soulful blast of roots driven Americana and even though everyone was here to watch indie kings The Snuts they loved every minute of it, Switching between Guitar and keys and letting her voice fill the venue it was very impressive indeed
The stage went dark as flashing images were played against the backdrop, and the band walked on to the stage and the sold out Camp and Furnace erupted, this band is really kicking goals right now.
Picking up his acoustic guitar Jack Cochrane stalks the stage before gently strumming the intro to “Pigeons In New York” and as the front mans voice fills the venue, the crowd instantly start singing along. the big booming bass drum fills the venue and then in it all kicks in with the full band and the whole venue is electric. its impressive to say the least. Then as strobes go off all over the stage and the instantly recognisable guitar picking intro of “Glasgow” starts to reverberate around the venue the noise levels rise even more, its hard to hear Jack Cochrane voice as the crowd is so loud singing along with him.
They flow straight into their latest single “Knuckles” from their brand new album “Burn The Empire” followed by “Rodeo” from the same record, before they launch into one of my personnel favourite tracks “All Your Friends” with its guitar plucking and walking bass intro before it grooves and trips, a la The Arctic Monkeys “Brianstorm” but with a big punchy chorus. “Always”, “Hallelujah” and “Zuckerpunch” follow and the whole of The Camp and Furnace is a mass of dancing and moshing bodies.
“13” is followed by “No Place I’d Rather Go” the latter is slow and brooding which lets you fully appreciate all the nuances and texture in Jack Cochrane’s voice.
Jack’s interaction with the crowd is minimum, but thats all that is required, “Blah Blah Blah” is next before the band launch into their Radio 1 breakthrough single “Somebody Loves You” it feels a lot harder live than it does on record, but it maintains that slightly Caribbean feel. Such an uplifting track with an infectious chorus,
“Elephants”, “Cosmic Electronica” Seasons”, “Juan Belmonte” and “Don’t Forget it Punk” are fired at you like musical bullets the latter being a perfect slice of spikey bit of garage indie/rock, with a classy nod to bands like The Ramones,
“Seasons”, “Maybe California”, and “End Of The Road” bring the set to an end the same way it started, high octane indie.
The band come back on for the obligatory encore in the form of the brilliant ““Burn the Empire” the high octane four on the floor indie banger and title track of their new long player this is a big, big track and “Fatboy Slim” and the band thanks the hot and sweaty crowd and the crowd roar their appreciation back
Tonight, again was another outstanding gig, the band were on top form and every time i see them they get better and better. The Camp and Furnace crowd loved every minute of it and so did i, a brilliant band, a brilliant crowd at a brilliant venue. Jack Cochrane’s voice is something to behold; he is without a doubt is one of the best singers I have heard in a long while. The band is tight, and they write great songs, so if you like your bands to have Indie cool, melody, big choruses and soaring vocals then this is the band for you.
SET LIST
1/ PIGEONS IN NEW YORK
2/ GLASGOW
3/ KNUCKLES
4/ THE RODEO
5/ ALL YOUR FRIENDS
6/ ALWAYS
7/ HALLELUJAH
8/ ZUCKERPUNCH
9/ 13
10/ NO PLACE ID RATHER GO
11/ BLAH BLAH BLAH
12/ SOMEBODY LOVE YOU
13/ ELEPHANTS
14/ COSMIC ELECTRONICA
15/ JUAN BELMONTE
16/ DONT FORGET IT (PUNK)
17/ SEASONS
18/ MAYBE CALIFORNIA
19/ END OF THE ROAD ENCORE
20/ BURN THE EMPIRE
21/ FATBOY SLIM
FOLLOW THE SNUTS
FOLLOW HEIDI CURTIS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
