The final gig of a tour can be tough.
The band is just plain knackered and tired of churning out the same songs.
But in the case of English Teacher it can also be uplifting, euphoric even, coming at the end of an incredible year as the small band from Leeds emerges into one of the indie and alternative music scene’s strongest voices.
It was the year the band’s debut album This Could Be Texas was not only released to critical acclaim but scooped this year’s prestigious Mercury Prize.
This all must seem like a world away for a band that this reviewer saw just two years ago achieving a runner up award in the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition at Pilton Working Men’s Club.
Understandably bigger stages welcomed them and last night they performed to a sell out crowd at SWX in Bristol at the end of a long touring schedule, that also took in North America.
During their set they were a little tired looking, but obviously still bouyed from their great year. They also appear to already be gazing to the future, but at the same time able give a good account of themselves for their much-loved past tracks.
Already RnB is moving on. It has been a staple of their set for years and earned them their Glastonbury talent plaudits. But now it is their opener not closer, as if they are keen to move it gradually out of the set list entirely, albeit recognising it’s a great track.
Another clue they were moving on was the introduction of a new song, Billboards, which sounded as good as the highpoints of the debut. This will surely be the first single to emerge from their next album.
Meanwhile, the rest of This Could Be Texas dominated the set, with Nearly Daffodils, Broken Biscuits and the World’s Biggest Paving Slab understandably getting the best reaction.
As they were flanked by giant, lit up daffodils the appearance of Nearly Daffodils was almost guaranteed.
It was a short encore, with their pandemic song Good Grief closing the night and the tour.
Over the years I’ve seen a few tour closers, and this ranks high, as the band navigates the happiness of a successful year, with the need to have a rest.
Support tonight and the tour was from shoegazers TTSSFU, who impressed the packed SWX. At times like Beachhouse, then The Sundays and Pylon. Their songs are dreamy and enthralling.
Tracks from this year’s Me, Jed and Andy were particularly effective. A band for us to check out more by in the future.
by Joe Lepper
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