Gig review: Paul Draper at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

With former band Mansun, Paul Draper created one of the biggest cult bands of the mid 90s.

After three studio albums and a partially completed fourth in Kleptomania, Mansun and Draper parted ways, leaving a legion of dedicated fans wondering what would ever come of the promised solo album.

This year Paul Draper returned with Spooky Action, the often rumoured and speculated album that fans have been clamouring for since Mansun’s early exit from the scene.

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The new material is solemn in its lyrical content, stark and layered with a more electronic edge than previous work, and finds Draper in fine voice yet again.

Performing the first of a handful of intimate shows, the sell out crowd at the Brudenell Social Club arrived with any number of merchandise and paraphernalia they hoped their hero may scrawl a message of thanks across.

That message of thanks was drawn across the faces of the crowd as Draper played some often deep cut B-sides, recent album cuts and fan favourites thought the set.

Performing with a four piece band with Draper firmly and confidently at the forefront, tracks such of the like from his debut including Grey House, Who’s Wearing The Trousers and Don’t Poke The Bear, were met positively with interlaced Mansun back catalogue hits I Can Only Disappoint You and Wide Open Space.

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The Brudenell is the perfect venue for these intimate fan shows, allowing fans to be toe to toe with their idol. One can only hope Draper returns again. For all those who missed this show, you don’t want to pass the opportunity up again. You’ll only disappoint yourself.

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