L.S. Dunes at The Key Club, Leeds – 30th January 2025 : Live Gig Review

L.S. Dunes at The Key Club, Leeds – 30th January 2025 : Live Gig Review

2nd February 2025 0 By Jess Mather

The Venue: The Key Club
The Key Club excels at creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, with a particular focus on accessibility. Staff were attentive in addressing the venue’s 26-step entrance, ensuring every guest was informed of the step-free alternative for those who needed it.

Once inside, the venue is well-organized for both comfort and functionality. A handy cloakroom service is available at just £1 for coats and £2 for bags, making it easy to lighten your load before heading into the main space. The bar, well-stocked and centrally located, sits beneath a spiral staircase leading to the toilets.

The stage area is thoughtfully designed, featuring a raised platform at the back accessible by both steps and a ramp, ensuring a good view for all attendees. To the right of the entrance, a separate chill-out zone provides a more relaxed concert experience. This space includes the merch stand, large sofas, a picnic bench, its own toilet facilities, and a dedicated bar, all while still playing live audio from the main stage. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to enjoy the music in a more laid-back setting.

Overall, The Key Club balances energy and inclusivity, making it a standout venue for live music in Leeds.

Spiritual Cramp Photo courtesy of Fretfocus Photography© for All About The Rock

The First Act: Spiritual Cramp

First up was the modern punk rock band Spiritual Cramp. All the way from San Francisco, this band was an absolutely fantastic supporting act! Their high-energy performance blended elements of mod rock, post-punk, and hardcore.

Since their formation, they’ve released a series of EPs and a full-length album, earning a dedicated following with their mix of aggression, groove, and anthemic hooks. With a swagger reminiscent of The Clash and a raw energy akin to early punk icons, the band has gained a reputation for bringing a fresh yet nostalgic feel to modern punk.

Spiritual Cramp delivered a high-energy set that perfectly primed the crowd for the main act. Their performance was fast-paced, seamlessly transitioning from one song to the next, only pausing to engage with the audience, which they did exceptionally well. The frontman’s enthusiasm was infectious, repeatedly expressing excitement about being there, even extending a musical section to interact with the crowd.

A standout moment came when he compared the audience’s vibe to L.S. Dunes fans, calling them “cool,” which clearly resonated. The band also made a pointed political statement about the U.S. government and police, which was met with strong approval. Musically, their chemistry was tight, and they delivered a dynamic set, incorporating interesting sound effects, including a vocoder, that added depth to their sound.

L.S. Dunes Photo courtesy of Fretfocus Photography© for All About The Rock

The Main Act: LS Dunes
Next up was the night’s main act, the one everyone had been eagerly anticipating. While waiting outside for the doors to open, I spoke with several fans who had been waiting for over 10 hours—since 9 a.m. that morning! They’d brought snacks, and hot drinks, and some had even arrived straight after getting off a plane. It’s no wonder, considering L.S. Dunes is undeniably one of America’s most powerful supergroups. Featuring My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero, Coheed and Cambria guitarist Travis Stever, bassist Tim Payne, and drummer Tucker Rule from Thursday, all fronted by Anthony Green, the lead singer of Circa Survive, Saosin, and The Sound of Animals Fighting.

The atmosphere was electric, making this one of the most intense and memorable live performances in recent memory. Even before L.S. Dunes took the stage, the energy in the room was undeniable. As ‘Teenagers’ by My Chemical Romance blasted through the speakers, the crowd erupted, singing and screaming along with such intensity that the song had to be cut off halfway through, setting the tone for the chaos that was about to unfold.

From the moment the band appeared, the energy was relentless, especially in the crowd, where an endless wave of crowd surfers added to the chaotic yet exhilarating vibe. Frontman Anthony Green was visibly thrilled, praising the audience for going “buck wild whilst still taking care of each other”, perfectly summing up the night as “responsible chaos.” Emotions ran high as he reflected on the contrast between the band’s recent arena shows with Rise Against and the raw, intimate energy of this gig, calling it an absolute joy to play.

At one point, Anthony was so overwhelmed that he found himself lost for words. Stepping in, Frank Iero took over the speech, reminding the crowd just how special the night was, not only for the band but for their fans, as at the stroke of midnight, their second studio album, Violet, would officially be released. The combination of high-energy performance and emotional significance made for an unforgettable night.

The sheer intensity of the show pushed the room to its absolute limits, both in energy and in temperature. As the set raged on, the heat and sweat of hundreds of fans moshing and screaming their hearts out, rose into the air, only to condense on the ceiling and drip back down in a surreal display of just how wild the night had become.

When the final notes rang out and the house lights came up, it really hit that this wasn’t just a gig; it had been a full-body experience. My partner glanced around, taking in the aftermath, and spotted a cleaner already at work, mopping sweat off the walls. If that isn’t proof of an absolutely unhinged, unforgettable show, I don’t know what is.

For everything L.S. Dunes visit >> HERE <<

For everything Spiritual Cramp visit >> HERE <<

For everything The Key Club visit >> HERE <<

For everything Fretfocus Photography visit >> HERE <<

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