YARD ACT
Tramshed, Cardiff - 27th November 2022
Support: Panic Shack
Hype often yields disappointment. For many years I've deliberately avoided falling for any media fawning of new bands. Instead, I wait until I'm of a frame of mind to listen without prejudice and make up my own mind. And so it was with Yard Act, who were being bigged up by the press, radio and anyone else with a vested interest in filling up column inches or airtime.
After initial scepticism, I eventually realised they were, perhaps, worthy of my attention. That first album 'The Overload' contained a lot of what I like - cutting lyrics covering socio-political topics (most anti-Tory - hurrah!), some catchy, infectious hooks, and a good dose of humour. So I admit maybe the hype machine may have been on to something.
Said hype-machine also informed me they were dead good live too. I decided I would catch them if and when they headed this way, but if I still had any lingering doubts, learning that Panic Shack were also on the bill was all the persuasion I needed.
Locally, Panic Shack have been one of the most hyped bands around here. Their debut EP sold out in milliseconds and original pressings now fetch a small fortune on the secondhand market. Sure enough, when they took to the stage at the Tramshed, they received the warmest reception for a support band I'd ever known before they'd even played a note. By the time they finished their set, they'd cemented their burgeoning reputation as Wales' new favourite band.
Opinions may be split among the uninitiated, but Panic Shack were brilliant at this show. Full of energy, lots of fun and a charm that had the audience eating out of the palm of their hands.
Yard Act had a tough act to follow, for sure. But to be fair, they're not too dissimilar to Panic Shack in many ways, and because they'd been around a teeny bit longer they had the advantage of being a wee bit tighter.
Most of the debut album was aired, along with a couple earlier songs from the Dark Days EP, and seeing as most of the country had heard 'The Overload' (whether they wanted to or not), each track was received rapturously as if they'd been classics going back decades.
Particularly striking were Rich, 100% Endurance and the album's title track (the one everyone sang along to with gusto). I left convinced that Yard Act were, briefly at least, worthy of the laudation that had been thrust upon them.
Such a shame the follow-up record (2024's 'Where's My Utopia?') was rubbish...
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