YARD ACT
The Triffid, Brisbane
Thursday, 14th November 2024
Photos: Craig Patch-Taylor (@craigs_not_here)
Words: Ben Preece
After almost two years since their show-stealing Laneway sets, Yard Act have finally touched down in Australia with their second album in tow, ready to flip expectations and prove why Where's My Utopia? is already being hailed as one of 2024’s standout records. Released in March, the album marks a triumphant leap for the Leeds lads, evolving from whipsmart post-punk rascals to brilliant crossover innovators—mixing disco-flavoured beats with avant-garde musicality, while preserving everything we first loved about them. Originally slated for the ill-fated Splendour, Yard Act have made good on their promise to play for their Australian fans, and it’s clear they’ve built quite a following here, especially for a band that first emerged during lockdown.
Taking the stage to the deafening blast of 'Sandstorm,' it’s clear where the band’s tongue is planted: firmly in cheek. This isn’t going to be a typical night. Frontman James Smith has the crowd in the palm of his hand from the get-go as they slide effortlessly into 'Pour Another,' a deeper cut from their 2022 debut, The Overload. Interestingly, the setlist has been completely switched up for Brisbane tonight—there are some omissions and surprises, but no one’s complaining. The lyrics on the opener set the tone for the rest of the show and reflect the band’s ethos: It’s the end of the world, and we might as well find our happy place—our utopia—and shamelessly revel in it. Because, after all, everyone’s entitled to a good life, right?
Much like their recorded output, the band has reimagined their live show. Frontman Smith, bassist Ryan Needham, guitarist Sam Shipstone, and drummer Jay Russell are like beloved characters in a favourite series. But season two comes with new faces: backing singers and dancers Daisy Smith and Lauren Fitzpatrick, alongside touring multi-instrumentalist Chris Duffin. The new additions soften the British 'boys club' vibe, transforming it into a dazzling, all-singing, all-dancing expansion reminiscent of Stop Making Sense. Up second is 'When The Laughter Stops,' which usually features vocals from British indie singer Katy J Pearson but is taken on with perfection tonight by Daisy and Lauren. From there, the setlist dances between old and new tracks almost evenly, each song as strong as the next, underscoring the band’s remarkable consistency. 'Down By The Stream' needs a mention, the ... Utopia highlight is delivered flawlessly, with Smith’s powerful speech on the cycle of abuse conveyed with intensity and conviction—something that could’ve easily fallen flat on stage but instead lands like a home run.
Everything heard on stage tonight is played live, given the electronic and sample-heavy nature of the Where's My Utopia? recordings, this is a marvel. Touring member, Duffin, up the back, is something of a secret weapon. He's on keys one moment, the next he's wildly wailing on a sax. Where strings are played on the album, a slinky organ line is executed in its place. In a world that obsesses in recreating the recording to clinical perfection, hearing this music completely live is like having liquidised Cherry Ripe injected straight into my veins.
In the middle of the set comes the stand-alone single "The Trenchcoat Museum," released between the two albums. Tonight, it transcends the studio version, morphing into a percussion-heavy rave-up with sharp techno stabs that nod unmistakably to a Herbie Hancock classic. It’s a standout moment that highlights the band’s vision and fearless ambition, pushing their sound into uncharted, exhilarating territory. As the glorious centrepiece of the show, it has everything thrown at it—Smith delivers his most intense performance of the night, while the dancers finally get their moment, stretching their choreography into a dynamic, full-throttle display that compliments the whole production.
'A Vineyard For The North' is stunning, delivering another highlight in tonight's unravelling set, while 'Fizzy Fish' offers a moment of theatrical clarity, diving deeper into Smith’s sharp, clever storytelling.
Throughout the set, Needham’s bass glistens—high in the mix and glossy—hinting that the band was always looking ahead and on the verge of fully embracing a groove-driven sound. Russell holds everything down with solid precision, while Shipstone reminds us of his near-legendary Laneway performance, his classic stance and everyman approach a sight to behold. But it’s Smith who commands the spotlight. A human cocktail of personality, he effortlessly blends the creative force of the band with the role of ringleader, all while being a cheeky larrikin and a sensitive soul in the same breath.
As they bring it to a close with a quartet of tracks that already feel like classics—'We Make Hits,' 'The Overload,' 'Dream Job,' and the very special '100% Endurance'—Yard Act are met with hero’s praise by the crowd at The Triffid. It’s a humbler crowd compared to Sydney and Melbourne, we're told, but the ruckus they make suggests otherwise, as the energy is just as electric. Returning for their now-expected Australian-only set addition, Eddy Current's 'Which Way To Go' and the frantic 'Witness (Can I Get A...)', Yard Act leave us high.
Tonight's incredible showing demonstrates that Yard Act are a band that simply won’t sit still. With every album, every performance, they push themselves further and really are greater than the sum of their parts. There’s a raw ambition here that feels almost painful to themselves at times, as if they’re constantly teetering on the edge of something bigger—always striving, always evolving. It’s this drive, this relentless pursuit of something greater, that makes them more than just a band; it points toward longevity and something far larger. As long as they’re willing to take risks like this, Yard Act are guaranteed to keep rewriting the rules.
Gallery by Craig Patch-Taylor
Comments