Live Review: SLEEPTAPE – Cobalt Studios, Newcastle 05/04/2019

Cobalt Studios was the destination for a long-awaited homecoming, with Newcastle the final destination on SLEEPTAPE’s recent tour.

Having entertained audiences in Middlesbrough, Sheffield, and London, it was always expected that the return to Tyneside would be a special occasion, and the crowd at the small venue didn’t fail to live up to the occasion.

Before their rousing set, there was time to showcase some talented, upcoming North East bands. Mayfare and Baltic were chosen as the support acts and certainly disappoint, especially the latter who brought a sound similar to the earlier era Arctic Monkeys, not a bad start to proceedings.

The audience began to bolster as SLEEPTAPE entered the stage, and from the first chord, the band had the crowd in the palm of their hand with their fast-paced, heavy rock sound. SLEEPTAPE’s live show has become renowned in the region and for good reason, with Jonathan Lott’s excellent vocals coupled with bassists Elliot Johnson’s love for entertainment, even entering the crowd at one point.

Fan favourites such as ‘Benefit’, ‘Nadir’ and latest single ‘Midnight’ were highlights on the night. With their intensity was matched and even bettered by the Cobalt crowd, with wave after wave of moshpit making it a night that won’t be quickly forgotten.

‘Midnight’ the latest single from SLEEPTAPE is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Words by Danial O’Kennedy
Photography by Isaac Johnson