#music Spector - Queens Social Club, Sheffield - 31st October

Halloween is a big deal. When did that happen? Nobody used to care, now everybody does. Last year it was The Cribs who had the opportunity to dress up at the O2 Academy, this time my faves Spector were in town and turned the Queens Social Club into a spooky haven.
As Spectour V nears its end and the band prepare themselves to record their 'difficult second album' they played their biggest show on the tour to a crowd who dressed up for the occasion, as promised, the band did too. The gig was a 14+ and I was expecting a youngish crowd, kids dig their catchy indie pop tunes but I was one of the oldest there! That brought its issue, I was down the front surrounded by teens who lacked 'gig etiquette'. I'm sure I was irritating in my youth but these kids were trying to knick the set-list before the gig had even started (how does that?), one particular lad, he must have been eighteen/nineteen and I swear his clothes were from M&S, I've nothing against my former employers (well, there is some issues but here and now is not the time to go into it) but without trying to sound like a total douche, if you are kitting out your wardrobe from there, at that age, what's the point in anything. Ok, this kid was already socially awkward, he was dancing to the Monster Mash, being 'cool' was never on his agenda but don't waste your youth in Blue Harbour, save that for your old age...
Anyway, I'd been feeling crappy today and excitement for the gig hadn't really kicked in. This was my thirteenth time seeing the band but the last time was twelve months ago, would I still have that same love, have they changed, have I changed? There was only one way to find the answers to those musings but I'd have to wait, Birmingham band Jaws were supporting. They were good, nothing amazing but potential is there as they share similarities to fellow B-Towners Peace and Swim Deep.
Ok, Spector time, a bit like Chico time but less jazz hand-y. They arrived on-stage in full costumes and make-up but there was one very unfamiliar face, Chris' replacement. I'm not sure if he's an official member or anything but he fitted in onstage with ease. The band kicked off with Friday Night and for the next sixty minutes the young crowd did not stop singing and jumping around as the band played all but one of the tracks from debut album, Enjoy It While It Lasts. It was banger after banger, sing-a-long chorus' came with every tune, as did hand claps, the energy in the room was electrifying, my t-shirt was soaked with sweat, I felt like one of those teens, it took me back to the glory days of indie (2001 - 2006) as I too sang every word, helplessly grinning with enjoyment and happiness. This band is my band, I have seen them rise from unknowns to headliners, this performance felt triumphant and I loved every minute of it.
We got a taste of what to expect from the bands follow-up album as they played the recent single Decade Of Decay and the instantly impressive Reeperbahn, both received receptions as strong as the familiar stuff and they show that the band aren't struggling with the forthcoming record. Mid-set the band members chose their favorite fancy dressed fan and got them up on stage, there was a couple of Mexicans, The Mask but the worthy winner was a little lad who looked about twelve dressed as frontman Fred MacPherson (circa 2012). Whilst all this was going on a much heftier chap fell on stage with aggression and a suit claiming to be Al Capone, some reason he began kicking off, literally, it was all a bit odd.
The band ended the set in the only way they know, the chaotic Chevy Thunder, the crowd went wild, Fred launched himself amongst them before the anthemic and always wonderful Never Fade Away which saw streams of fans crowd surf themselves towards the stage. It felt special tonight, like they have taken it up a level. I don't think I will ever tire of seeing this band and with material from album number two sounding pretty excellent there should be many more great meetings.