Gig review: Inspiral Carpets at O2 Academy Leeds
Clint Boon & Co keep the spirit of Madchester alive on their latest tour.
The Inspiral Carpets are one of so many great British bands who have stood the test of time.
They formed in Oldham in 1983 and became key figures in the Madchester movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In Leeds on Friday night they showed once again how good they still are, much to the delight of an adoring crowd who lapped up every track.
The Inspirals are currently touring the UK and Ireland and selling out venues as they go.
After a warm-up DJ set by Dave Sweetmore, it is time for the Inspirals, whose line-up has remained relatively unchanged down the decades, to take centre stage.
They are on form from the off, fizzing with all their usual energy as they reel off much-loved hit after much-loved hit.
The Inspirals have 14 top 40 singles to their name, as well as four top ten albums, in almost 40 years.
Kicking off with Real Thing, the Inspirals run through their impressive back catalogue and receive their usual rapturous reception in Leeds.
There is a there is a nostalgic feel to the night as tracks such as Two Words Collide and Let You Down are belted out with utter conviction.
Towards the end of the set comes the brilliant This Is How It Feels – one of the greatest indie tracks of all-time – and more beautiful songs such as She Comes In The Fall and I Want You.
Saturn 5 finishes the set and is a fitting track on which to end a glorious night from a reenergised band who proved they remain as good as ever.