The unapologetic sound of Cheshire-based indie rock band The Luka State filled Sheffield’s Yellow Arch Studios last week following the release of the band’s new single Bring Us Down.
Having been welcomed onto the stage by Danny Mellin and fellow The Reyton’s support Corella, the band wasted no time in giving a ferocious rock show.
An instant energy from the band took hold of the crowd with immediate bouncing accompanying opener Feel It. Already pumped with adrenaline, the crowd needed no encouragement to throw themselves into the music – and each other.
Expertly working with their fans, The Luka State knew it wasn’t meaningless filler that mattered, but their music. With a hair flick and Pete Townshend-style jump, bassist Sam Bell gave the set all the punctuation needed, as the band leapt between songs without pause for chat.
It is evident that the band exists for their fans. Having just finished their European tour, they told me how they want to bring the same energy here:
“Paris was the best show, they went crazy for us.”
“This tour has been so relentless that we’ve not actually had time to process it. We had a day off in Prague and, rather than see Prague, we kept the venue open and we rehearsed and wrote songs.”
Set to tour America and its radio stations later this year, the band are confident their music will connect with people across the world.
“I feel like our music might connect on a stronger level in America, because it’s heavier. I think we’re very international, it’s very British sounding but I think our music translates internationally.”
Back in Sheffield, with rock signs high in the sweaty, smoky air from fans both old and young, the four piece snarled fan favourites Girl, 30 Minute Break and Kick In The Teeth, much to the delight of their head banging crowd.
Despite some minor technical issues throughout the show, new song Tightrope from the band’s upcoming second album firmly established its place among their rock repertoire.
Released just two days before their Sheffield show, the band’s latest single Bring Us Down had fans singing and clapping along without prompt, with bassist Bell jumping into the eager crowd.
Lead singer Conrad Ellis told me how the song looks at the struggles of being in a band:
“Sometimes it’s, you know, it’s not easy, trying to be an up and coming band that’s wanting to break through. It’s about the stigma that comes with that. We’re from a very small town and it’s easy for people to slag you off because you’re trying to make something of yourself.”
“I’m sure you’ll have students reading this from a small town who know exactly what I mean.”
“It’s about just not listening to the bullshit and carrying on and not letting it bring you down – clue’s in the title!”
After a somewhat awkward encore (the band having left without so much as a thank you), they returned to the stage. With shouts of “here we go”, they powered out Oxygen Thief – almost ironic considering the lack of oxygen in the sweltering room.
Despite the heat, the energy from The Luka State during final song Bury Me was one to be rivalled by even the liveliest of rock bands: lead singer Ellis parted the crowd like the Red Sea as he paced the floor, up close and personal with singing fans. The set ended with a swinging of the mic from Ellis and guitars lifted to the air – a show that left a breathless crowd wanting more (and a lie down).
7/10
