After another dull, wet week in West Yorkshire something was needed to lighten both the mood and the night and to put a proverbial spring in ones step…after all, that is the season that we are now supposed to be in. The challenge of doing so was made even greater in the valley town of Hebden Bridge. For all its rich culture and opportunity, when it rains it can feel as though the hill sides are closing in on you. It was a challenge, however that was well and truly taken up by the incumbents of the legendary Trades Club for the evening; Leicester based The Mercians and West Yorkshire’s own Apollo Junction.

It has to be said that the stage at The Trades isn’t the largest in the world, and having it crammed full of kit for two five piece bands proved interesting for an energetic band like The Mercians. So used to using every inch of floor space across the duration of their sets they were somewhat restricted but that didn’t stop them bringing their high tempo, sometime frenzied character up the M1 and into the Calder valley. This was even more impressive given that their journey had taken over five hours and that they had only half an hour to set up!

Kicking off with Polaroid, the band took us through a wonderful musical journey that showed their versatility as well as giving us an insight into some of their influences – a rich, eclectic concoction of hip-hop, metal, rock, indie and classical, such is the range of the band members’ tastes. Softly spoken lead singer Matt Cominotto is transformed once the bass starts pumping and his powerful soaring voice brings out the best of the echo added to his mic. He told us that he was struggling mid set…you couldn’t tell. As the set transitioned into I Don’t Mind, the guitar pairing of Owen Trott and Joe Syborn began to make their presence increasingly felt with their pefectly synched work. The individuality of Harry Walford goes way beyond his style and dress sense, emerging through the strings of his bass which worked in perfect harmony with the percussive precision of Ben Pearce. 

Their latest release, Sarah Connor, was followed by the slower but equally engaging 077 which tells the tale of a girl leaving her phone number on the back of a beer mat and the unrequited lust that follows. The wonderful piss take that is Gym Shark precedes Dreamseller before the Coalville quintet round off with Better Alone.

For all their varied influences there’s a gritty individualism about them which draws on strong melodies and catchy guitar riffs. There’s no denying the guitar based sound but it’s definitely their own. Considering that the group only formed a couple of years ago they have certainly found themselves quickly and gathered a growing fan base, so much so that they are embarking on their own headline tour this May. All this alongside the admirable work that they do in sharing the importance of mental health and wellbeing. 

Keep up the good work!

Again, the size of the stage might not have been fully considered as final tweaks were made before the headline act of Apollo Junction. After all, who doesn’t share the stage with an 8ft inflatable dinosaur? It’s hard to applaud this self styled DIY band more. They write, record and promote everything themselves and each year they are gaining more and more respect and exposure for both this and for their wonderfully captivating music. This was to be the first night of their nationwide Spring tour but they still found time to post about the challenges of breaking through and to send good luck messages to both Red Rum Club and Lottery Winners as they closed theirs. 

The band entered the stage to the strains of Tubthumping by Chumbawumba. Apt, considering their courtings with social media earlier in the day. Their first song was the opening number, Light Up The Sky from their second studio album, All In. This demonstrates that they mean business, mixing the intricate keyboard work of Sam Potter with his own backing effects to create a heavy, Ben Hope bass driven sound that mixes indie with electro pop. The song, as with many, is something of a fan favourite and an anthem. 

The set list weaves in and out of their three albums, mixing fan favourites with lesser played tracks. Two Car Family and Porcelain are the other stand out numbers from All In along with On The Ropes, Rooftops and Sometimes, with the lead singer, Jamie Williamson spending almost as much time in the audience as on stage. He thrives on this level of interaction and of seeing the band’s adoring fans face to face and he receives as much appreciation back as he gives. 

The latest album, Here We Are, is represented by Magic, Endings and Breathe Out, the latter being played live for the very first time – a treat indeed. This is a collection of songs which is something of a departure from the electronic enhanced sound of their previous album, instead being a little more stripped back and deliberately simple. This is typified by the other song from album three, By The River, which builds and builds as it develops, reaching a pulsing crescendo through the clever percussion of Jonathan Thornton and the strings of Matthew Wilson. It is a wonderful demonstration of their song writing skill which takes the concert to a higher level. 

Begin, Born For Now and In Your Arms showcase the debut album Mystery and take us back to a time when the band were finding themselves, their style and their niche in the crowded new music scene. These are fantastic tunes, played with emotion and feeling and appreciated in full by the hardcore AJ family in attendance. 

Time after time Williamson thanks the crowd and you know that it is heartfelt. This is a band that has done it the hard way and that shows no sign of stopping. Self belief and determination have been the key to getting to where they are now, along with no small amount of resilience. For a band that typifies the purest principles of the punk ethic they have really got themselves noticed, being lined up for many summer festivals and with their songs gracing the small screen on adverts and on many shows such as Match Of The Day and The Circle.

The Leeds based five piece have clearly enjoyed their time in Hebden Bridge and gained many new followers as a result of their sharp performance. Such is the gravitas of the venue it is apparent how much of an aspiration it was for them to tread the boards here. It’s not always the easiest crowd to win over at The Trades but Apollo Junction manage this with ease, rounding off their set with the singalong Are You Happy. Of course this isn’t really the end and the band return to the stage with an unexpected semi a capella rendition of the Elvis classic, Cant Help Falling In Love. Only the piano keys sit behind a mesmeric harmonised moment that will live long in the memory. The final curtain falls after what could only ever be their last song, Forever. This is something of a love song to Yorkshire, it’s people and to Leeds in particular and it’s swallowed up by all those privileged to be there. 

True to form that’s not it for the band though and they wasted no time in coming out to meet fans old and new and to sign merchandise. This is a special band. A band who know the meaning of hard work and who take absolutely nothing for granted. If ever the motto of the Trades Club was to be met by a band it by was Apollo Junction:

‘By the people, for the people.’

Words and photos by Duncan Grant