A gig around new year time inevitably finds me reflecting a little upon the performing artist. If nothing else, it makes a refreshing change from being alarmed by the stasis in my own life. Where are they going? What are they doing? Is there new stuff? Do they seem happy in their skin?

One of my first gigs of the year was at the mighty Parish in Huddersfield. Here Tom A Smith, an artist I’ve seen perhaps 8 times, was on a joint bill with Girlband. Clearly it was interesting for me to compare the Tom in front of me against those Tom’s of yore.

As well as some of the old favourites that Smith has created and hewn into his persona over recent years, this tour we caught some bright and breezy new tracks. These songs auger well for the future.

First, let’s not forget where Tom has come from. Tom A Smith has created a bright and lively back catalogue of immediately likable indie bangers. Tom has an immediately recognisable deep register vocal and his recent songs have cemented a likable accessible sound.

While some old favourites were pushed to the back of the wardrobe for this set, we still had a lot of the recent catchy ear worms to enjoy. Get Me Started, Little Bits, Weirdo and I Don’t Want You, all had the audience flowing. Tom and the band seemed delighted, and relaxed contentedly into the reaction.

Readers will know I love an indie banger, but I also have a restless streak and an everlasting quest for that perfect song. I first fell for Tom’s music through the complexity of early track Wolves and with his perhaps less immediate tunes. So, I was excited to hear a fresh maturity and complexity with the new songs on offer on this tour.

As much as I love the Parish, the audience her are often fairly staid and reserved, and it takes some doing to get them punching excited. Tom A Smith and his band of merry abetters managed that in a few scant minutes. That the audience took them to their hearts, judging by the reaction they gave, those new tracks offer a clear pathway for the future.

Fashion was the song that particularly struck me from the whole set. Tom A Smith swaggering with confidence; part rap, part groove, huge bass. It’s a less immediate tune musically and much the better for it. The lyrics give a vibe about when you wear something you like and feel the more confident for it.

There’s something about songs called Fashion that can create an epoch. I think this may well be another. What meantime is a healthy meaty rocker.

While the whole band behind Tom were stellar, Katie and her bass stood out on these new tunes. Katie is carving her own name onto the tree of music.

To my ears, What saw a more meaty and urgent side to Tom; imploring a special someone to explain what it is they want. Beautiful Way also popped up to amply show the sheer diversity within Tom’s music crafting. This went back towards rocker territory, and with its jaunty riff style reminded me a little of early Big Country. Tom described this as his favourite song to play for this tour.

Last and no means least of the new tunes, Golden Gates made up the fourth newbie on the 9 track set. It speaks volumes when towards the end of a well received set, the audience stay silent to listen to a new song. This is also one of Tom’s beautifully haunting tracks, which left me wishing I was catching more than just this gig this winter.

At a Tom A Smith gig, it seemed unlikely at one time that Dragonfly would be given a well earned settle down with a bowl of nectar, but it was an exceptionally spirited Never Good Enough to close, with the audience at full holler back to Tom and the band. There was much to enjoy and reflect upon.

Those wanting to catch a bit of Tom and some new tunes needn’t wait too long, there’s gigs coming up, not least at one of my favourite Manchester venues Night and Day in Manchester on 19 March and London Sebright Arms on 20 March.

* images and words by tiggerligger