There is nothing more enjoyable than a Friday night in YES.
The low ceiling and sticky floor make for the perfect mix; throw in some post-punk and a Red Stripe, and you’ve got an evening for the ages. The stars for the evening were London’s very own TV Priest.
TV Priest signed for Sub Pop after their first gig and dropped their anticipated debut, Uppers, in February of last year. Having only been able to play one gig before lockdown, there is a distinct energy about this TV Priest show. First on the bill were locals Mandy, Indiana, who played a varied mix of punk and synth music: a combo that they blend with ease.
By the time TV Priest casually take to the stage, the Yes basement is at a sweaty fever pitch. TVP are a band clearly hitting their stride, rattling through an album-spanning set with the energy of a band on the up. ‘The Big Curve’ opens the set. And, with ginormous riffs and thunderous percussion, TV Priest’s sheer noise is a delight for the soul.
The set weaves through the tracklist of Uppers and we get a taste of what’s to come with latest single ‘Lifesize’. TV Priest are experts at the ‘quiet/loud’ dynamic, which makes for a delightfully energised and joyous evening: catching TV Priest in a room this small is a no brainer, you get the sense this band will be playing some big shows in the near future.
Crowd favourite ‘Press Gang’ was a real highlight of the night, and TVP were gone before you knew it – off to Leeds, and Dark Arts day festival for the post-punk party of the Year. TV Priest are a band in such fine form, nights like these make you grateful for the superb bands, venues and people this country has to offer.
Uppers is out now via Sup Pop
Photo Credit: Eva Pental
