The Streets/Brother at Leeds Academy, February 24
As one band grows stale it’s hard to not get caught up on the scrappy, ambitious new flame. Tonight as The Streets play their last ever gigs half of the audience stand attentively waiting for Slough’s Brother.
Using the Happy Mondays aesthetic, each song contains a complimentary “ooh” and “ahh” only to be joined by Blur style guitars and a soul inspired chorus.
Many may argue that The Streets passed their creative peak nearly seven years ago and tonight Mike Skinner only accentuates that point. He claims each song to be his last but unfortunately it fails to stir any nostalgia or sadness towards The Streets moniker.
The crowd tonight are here to see a Mike Skinner circa 2004 and with ‘Let’s Push Things Forward’ and ‘Blinded By The Lights’ his English swagger brings a hidden hope to the room. But with the crowd swelling towards the stage it burns out quickly leaving too many ‘Never Went To Church’ ballads. Joined by a small, robust band Skinner is left standing high above his loutish supporters willing to finish every line and carry their beloved hero across the room.
Unfortunately it’s 2011 and The Streets have aged rapidly. Somehow ‘Dry Your Eyes’ becomes a poor rendition of its former self while ‘Fit But You Know It’ reminds us of ladettes and boozy holidays. It’s hard to think after all the hype, critical acclaim and adoring fans, few will miss The Streets in another seven years time.
