Where Leeds-born band Yard Act tried to discover where, in fact, utopia lay, it appears they found it. Sonic forces of sincere charm and booming perfection could be heard on Where’s My Utopia and now the band has found it, performing from a wonderfully designed Well Dweller set. Not just a fantastic performance but a tribute to all the moving parts which has turned Yard Act into one of the best sightings on any festival lineup. Hearing the fury and fire live in the flesh is an experience far above most gigs and the additions made to the touring lineup make for a wonderful time. There is a depth to their sound, heard on the finest stages of Oya Festival to this Live from Utopia performance, which was not absent on their first album, but unrefined. The Overload benefits from this new confidence, as do listeners.
A fearless band working with this desire to open their sound to new genres. An Illusion has wonderful unity to it, a chance to explore backing vocalists and the joys of spoken word tones. Fizzy Fish opens with this and soon frontman James Smith has found a beat for his vocal style. Rising and falling but spoken like the wise man in the pub corner, chewing his way through vaguely aged scampi, sipping on pints and memories. This is all we have, memories. Where’s My Utopia finds itself remembering what was, at the time, perceived as youthful glory days. But the more we age, the less we identify with our past selves. Growth is unnoticeable but intense as Yard Act finds here. “Stay strange and be ace,” is the mantra Smith implores his listeners to follow. It may be the only way to keep your head above the waters, as Dream Job finds.
While it switches out the punch of percussion and heavier focus of guitar work for a softer mood, this live version of Dream Job is still a neat, necessary addition. But this is the point of Live from Utopia. Yard Act is not content to continue with what they learned and produced in the studio. Everything can be improved, and more bands, artists and people should take a leaf from the Where’s My Utopia book. Grifter’s Grief benefits greatly from the soft swerve in these backing vocals and a hefty bass line running through. Down by the Stream is an exceptional piece too. The hyper-specific details, and the act of apologising for past actions will never not be a storm of earnestness in song.
Ultimately Live from Utopia does well to sell what is a very strong act. Yard Act is a quality live band, one of the best out there. A taster session here will do a little to convince those on the fence, but the best way to hear them out is to attend. See the joys and jolts of energy for yourself. Live from Utopia has some delicate details which benefit from the exceptionally designed set. The music is not bolstered by these designs, but it certainly helps to have a neat flow of quality efforts from the likeable bunch which comprises Yard Act. Beyond likeable, there is a generational sense of repressed life experiences. Early years are brought flooding back and boast this impressionable moment. Do we make good on our past or are we doomed to repeat it? Yard Act is set to find out.
