It says something about my determination to catch the new chapter of Leeds based L’objectif, that despite a 4am start, a delayed fight from Portugal, a house to sort, I was still on the front line ready to greet the guys in Halifax, on their first local UK outing in a while.

L’objectif were classy, different and provided a mass boost of live music serotonins so it was well worth the effort. One L’ of a night in fact.

Before I launch into the main course, hors d’oeuvres Violet Disguise tickled up the appetite with a good warm cosy set.

Callum Smith used to perform with friends as Violet Disguise and now solo, his performsnce was clearly a set of transition: some well honed and polished tracks from the back catalogue performed solo with guitar, along with some newer tech backed tunes.

We laughed with Callum at the slightly choppy style of the set, but there was much to like here, and he is forging music, poetry and life stories to a high standard. It looked like Callum was both delighted and relieved to be back on stage, and it was great to see him there.

I have perhaps been living in a vacuum, but this gig also saw a major line up change for L’objectif. The original pairing of Saul Kane (vocals) and Louis Bullock, had since 2020 been supplemented by Dan Richardson (guitar) and Ezra Glennan on bass.

Now Dan and Ezra have moved on, and the L’objectif line up has a couple of new members alongside Saul and Louis; Abe Hussain (guitar and keys) and Sam Hudson (bass). Editors of the band’s Wikipedia entry take note; it needs an update.

I’ve always thought L’objectif a classy act, always with a strong and unique image and the new line up only helps cement that.

Within an industry where some musicians rock up on stage in their work or casual gear, to those who want to make a flash spectacle of the gig, L’objectif are definitely on the right side of stylish. If you have it, flaunt it as the saying goes.

There are not many bands who have girlfriends that pre-gig sprinkle the stage with red roses. It all helped to cement a feeling we were witnessing something a bit special.

I’ve always liked L’objectif for their dark and sometimes slightly sinister lyrics, which are mixed with a jaunty, funk packed riff line, and intelligent accessible jangly music. The new L’objectif tracks with a bit of a shift to a more lush keys supported sound, remains pure L’objectif, but even more so.

Take the long awaited next single Goth Kids. In the lyrics, Saul thought he was a Goth Kid himself, until he realised they were too nice. He is then figuring out how in a world of conflict, how to get someone by his side.

Tonight’s 11 track set provide a perfectly balanced mix of older tunes and the new. There was a little nod back to tracks like Drive In Mind (from Have It Your Way), Same Thing (from the We Aren’t Getting Out…. EP), and Itsa, Puppy and set closer, The Dance You Sell from the most recent release, The Left Side.

With the new tracks (and indeed the slightly reworked versions of already released songs), it feels like the band have settled into their identity, which is incredible considering half the band have just performed a live performance or two so far.

The future looks bright for L’objectif with the best yet to come. As one of the songs proclaims This Band is Forever. L’objectif are supporting FEET on 8 dates over the next month or two (dad comment alert, ‘feet usually support us’), so go to the band’s socials to check out where and when. Gigs include Leeds Brude, Newcastle and Sheffield up north, and Oxford and St Albans down souf.

* words and dodgy ‘live atmosphere’ images by Tiggerligger

* header photo from the band’s socials