Live Review: Just Mustard - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 25/09/2022
Following the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album "Heart Under", Just Mustard hit the road, touring their new record around the UK and ended their run of headline shows with a awe inspiring performance at the legendary Brudenell Social Club in Leeds.
Part of the recent wave of incredible band's to come out of Ireland, Just Mustard have established themselves as one of the countries best exports alongside the likes of Fontaines DC and The Murder Capital. As a band that have stayed away from the recent boon in Post-Punk, they have managed to establish themselves on their own terms and their performance at The Brudenell gave fans the opportunity to get a taste of their enormous creative talent up close and personal.
Emerging onstage in the dimly lit Community Room, there was no sign of any rock and roll clichés from the band, justa self-assured confidence as they picked up their instruments before launching into their set opener "23" taken from their new record. "Heart Under" marked a pronounced sonic shift for Just Mustard as they moved away from the shoegaze influences of their debut record, "Wednesday" to the noise rock sound that defines the new album.
Full fat basslines and weaving guitars sit underneath Lead Singer, Katie Ball's haunting vocals as the band work through tracks such as "I Am You", "Seven", "In Shade" and "Pigs", in a setlist that borrows from across their back catalogue and touches on the influence of multiple genres.
Throughout the performance, a common thread that exists between tracks is the presence of a malevolent drone underscoring almost everything the band does. Operating like the Shepherd Tone accents that define much of Hans Zimmer's work in the film 'Dunkirk', the effect works in much the same way as within the confines of film. Tension builds throughout the performance allowing the band to relive it as and when they please. Tracks like "Deaf" provide a momentary respite before the band steps up the pressure again with their closing run of tracks.
Bringing down the curtain with "Seed", a track taken from their most recent album, the band expressed the full extent of their evolution to date and hinted at what the future may hold. Borrowing more now from the likes of 'Gilla Band' and other noise rock bands than from the influences that inspired their debut record, the band find themselves on a new, exciting and boundless creative path.
Leaving the stage without words or ceremony, the crowd were left to reflect on what was a very special performance from the most exciting and underrated bands around. As they retreat following their headline tour across the UK, I look forward to seeing what is next to come from Just Mustard.
Words by Jordan Corigan
