For my birthday, of many years!!, my partner and I set off to Leeds specifically to see Courtesans. Their latest tour is in support of King 810 who I’ve not heard before, but it is Courtesans I want to see and I’m a bit disappointed by the set times which appear to have been set for yet another “club night” to begin after the bands.

After arriving early, we set off to spend some Xmas vouchers and claim my free socks from M&S!! I wonder if the gift is age related or because they’ve over ordered on socks. Finding somewhere to eat for our pre-gig meal was tricky in part because I’m on a new restrictive diet but also because many restaurants had valentines offers still on. It’s a shame Gregg’s don’t do late nights as there were more Gregg’s in one square mile than I’ve ever seen outside of Newcastle 😊 I counted at least 12.

We got to the venue in good time and descended to the cavern without any issue and the first thing was a visit to the facilities which were back up different stairs! The venue itself is compact consisting of stage, bar and sound platform which doubles as the merchandise area. It’s dark and made darker by the swathes of black clad people mostly wearing King 810 attire. At the bar it was a big surprise to find they sold the beer in bottles, glass bottles too, so hopefully everyone will be sensible if a pit begins.

I pushed my way through to be as close as possible to the front and got a great position centre stage only for a guy over 6 foot to come and stand in front. Whilst we wait for Courtesans we get chatting to three others who are also there to see them. The big guy’s girlfriend returns with beer and grabs his bum, so he turns around and, of course, he sees me first. I smile and there’s a glimmer of a frown on his face before he spots his girlfriend and then it’s all smiles again. The outcome got better as he moved slightly to allow her space so I got a great view.

Courtesans

They announce their entrance by playing from tape before plugging in and Agnes strikes up the bass. Unfortunately there’s been a hitch with Saffire’s amplifier but unless you’re up close like me you’d never have known, and it’s fixed quickly enough for there to be no pause before they blast into their first song.

The stage is cramped but it doesn’t cramp their style and you can FEEL the chemistry between each member as they feed of each other. I’ve said it before but once again I notice that this chemistry ensures that the whole is much greater than the sum of its’ parts. I can’t see Vikki on drums as she’s squeezed in at the back but that doesn’t prevent her being a part of the entity that is Courtesans.

Looking around at the start there is a sense of “endurance” in the crowd, they’ve come for King 810 and to get a good place have to sit through the support. However, by about the 3^rd song Courtesans have gripped them by the balls and woken them to their melodic eerie doom world view. I feel that change in the crowd not least because the bloke behind is now strafing me with his hair 😊 and the guy in front has started paying attention. That’s what I love about Courtesans they enrapture you into their world and for however long their set is you are at one with them and the music.

They belt out some of their “classics”, if you can call them that after only a year or so, which includes “Mesmerize”, “Feel the Same” and “Monkey Logic”. Throughout Sinead’s vocals venture from rap to hard rock, from sweet melodies to gravelly rock tones and seamlessly Saffire, Agnes and Vikki underpin those lyrics with wonderful harmonies.

I’ve seen Courtesans 3 times before, but this set has raised the bar to a new level and it’s only been 2 months since I last saw them. I’m digging deep to find words to convey the awesome set they delivered, how professional it was and yet how they are able to make it seem like a private gig. They are completely at ease on stage in front of the large crowd, Sinead commands our attention and looks relaxed flanked by Saffire and Agnes both of whom at times look menacing but in a good way. At the back is Vikki who I can hear but alas can’t see.

The set is well thought out with the song choices and seamless interchange between them. It builds in energy throughout to a thunderous rendition of “Monkey Logic” when all their pent up anger burst forth over the crowd as they lead us through some serious head banging madness, oh and Saffire looses her hat 😊 There’s no fluff or bluster between songs, no wastage, they’ve set their hook and are reeling us in. They end with “Little bit of luck” but there’s no luck with Courtesans they have earned their place and deserve the bigger things that will come. They have a passion that’s infectious and a desire to succeed that’s already evident. What a birthday party!

My Review Score: 10