Words: Darci Jackson
Photos: Izzi Glover
This was one of those shows we’d been looking forward to for ages, one of those shows where we must’ve said ‘I can’t wait for the Rocky Ostrich gig,’ over a hundred times. And did it live up to expectations?
Yes. And more.
Opening the evening were Glass Ghosts who’d released their debut single just two days prior. Shimmering dream pop glided its way around The Underground, enveloping the crowd in a haunting ambience and blessing our ears with a multitude of synth and guitar. If that was just the starter, then the main course was about to get a whole lot tastier.
Saint Clair, a London based band currently playing here, there and everywhere, burst onto the stage with their powerful live energy. A mixture of dark undertones, raw emotion and moody lyrics brought a solemn yet formidable drive to their set. The four piece are on the cusp of releasing new material, and if you want to know more you can check out our interview with them here.
The pre headliner was none other than Genius Of The Crowd, who had the audience wrapped around their finger from start to finish. Heavy, poetic lyricism stood at the forefront of each song, making you listen just that bit harder at the emotion being poured into every single word. Combine that with electric riffs and an eclectic mix of genres, it left a buzz hanging in the air that made you nothing short of in awe.
That buzz was left lingering as Rocky Ostrich swaggered onto the stage to the theme tune from Rocky. It couldn’t have been more perfect if they’d tried. But as soon as each member picked up their instruments, an air came over the venue, as they dove headfirst into the set. Angsty rock with licks of heaviness bounced around the venue with frontman Liam Pyatt belting out words left right and centre. After our chat with them back in July (which you can check out here), it felt like a completely different band had walked out on stage. A band that never missed a beat, were loud, energetic and matched the grungy atmosphere of the venue. Rocky Ostrich’s cover of Howdon Aldi Death Queue was nothing short of iconic and seamlessly blended itself into the rest of the songs. The band ended on their latest offering Ashes, and The Underground was nothing short of carnage. Pits opening, people on shoulders, Pyatt going crazy.
It was a night that really solidified Stoke as having one of the best music scenes around. A sleepy town with a whole selection of talent just waiting to be discovered. And that talent is only just getting started.
Let it also be known that behind Rocky Ostrich’s heavy indie rock façade is four people who love a Wetherspoons pint and wrote their setlists on Wetherspoons till roll about an hour before their gig.