Utterly Captivating As Always, Ceremony Live In Leeds
Published
Ceremony play Leeds on Monday 10th August at Brudenell Social Club, as part of their UK/ European tour for their fourth record, L-Shaped Man, released earlier this year. There is an air of anticipation in the venue before the band take to the stage; Ceremony's latest record marks a clear departure from the band's established sound.
Laden in post-punk, with a clear Joy Division influence, it's an album so far from their previous material, in terms of sound and content; L-Shaped Man is an album about heartbreak and loss. Playing a set consisting of a neat balance of earlier stuff with the latest record, the contrast between where they are now with what they became associated with could not be more apparent.
Opening with "Exit Fears" from the latest record, Ceremony make for a dynamic stage presence, with a compelling cool casualness about them. It's a fitting song to introduce their new material, with its catchy riffs and Ross Farrar’s brooding vocals. Particularly as Ceremony are playing to an audience somewhat divided on L-Shaped Man.
Though well received, the crowd's energy multiplies as "Exit Fears" ceases and the teasing first few notes of 2010 album Rohnert Park's "Sick" are played. The crowd forms a mosh pit and it makes for a thoroughly engaging moment as the band's vigour mimics that of the audience, really going for it as the song builds up. Unfortunately, however, the mosh pit is overestimated in size, leaving an overwhelming and unnecessary gap between crowd and stage which looms over the set for much of the show - mostly notably with tracks off of L-Shaped Man.
Nonetheless, "Open Head" and "The Doldrums", both off of Rohnert Park, really exemplify how good Ceremony sound live. During "The Separation" and "Your Life In France" the audience really get into it, mirroring Farrar's enthusiasm on stage, whose swaying use of fists is enthralling to watch.
Once more, however, the show takes a turn with covers "Pressure's On" and "Living Hell" off of their first record, 2006's Violence Violence. The crowd engages with the older material more obviously, and physically so, though as the overall atmosphere at the show has so far demonstrated, it's clear Ceremony succeed at all that they attempt.
Mid-set, the band stop which is, as Farrar explains- something that they do not usually do; it's bassist Justin Davis's birthday. The crowd sings happy birthday, making for an unexpected highlight of the show.
"Hysteria", from 2012 album Zoo goes down well, as the crowd sings along, before "M.C.D.F." and "Terminal Addiction" from Rohnert Park are delivered with a punch. "The Party" (L-Shaped Man) sounds supreme in a live atmosphere whilst, somehow, "The Bridge" sadly seems to drag a little - though the band's presence on stage is, as ever, utterly captivating.
The band then go on to play some "really old songs", to which the crowd responds with a collective cheer. Playing "I Want To Put This To An End" and "Kersed" (Violence Violence), the show takes on a completely different feel, with the gaping mosh pit that never recovered finally and thankfully taking shape.
Ending with "The Understanding", Ceremony delivers Leeds a solid performance. If L-Shaped Man had, before, struggled to win over fans of Ceremony's older material, the strength and charisma of their live show is sure to change this. As Farrar nods as he looks across the crowd, it's clear Ceremony are enjoying where they are right now, and where they have come from.
To find out more about Ceremony click here.
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Words, picture and video by Ellie Brown
