We Are Scientists, Stylus, Leeds

Photos: Hannah Cordingley

It’s a night of downing bottles of red wine for Keith Murray and Chris Cain, with rants about Maseratis, rooftop balconies and U2. The troublesome duo are in the UK for a ten-night stand as part of their current European tour, and in Leeds the pair give a very energetic performance, featuring tracks from their earliest work to the brand new ‘TV En Français’ - ‘After Hours’, ‘It’s A Hit’, ‘Rules Don’t Stop Me’ all make appearances, with the audience helping the band’s harmonies along.

‘Now some people will be going to the terrace roof bar’, jokes Chris, after they take on the risky decision to play five of their best-known songs in a row. But there’s nothing of the sort - even slowest number ‘Textbook’ is given a great reception. There’s always another sing-a-long under the pair’s collective sleeve, not least final encore, ‘The Great Escape’.

The set features the usual We Are Scientists cocktail of tight performance and that impeccable stage presence and wit. The band’s loveable quality can’t help but shine through, as Chris’ wine-drinking skills are shown off, the band pose for a selfie with the audience, and (of course) encourage that now obligatory ‘Yorkshire!’ chant.