The Commoners/The Sheepdogs – Leeds Brudenell Social Club Leeds – 4 December 2024

I’ve been lucky enough to see The Sheepdogs several times, but this was the first time I’d seen The Commoners. They are from Toronto, Canada and judging by the size of the early crowd see them here in Leeds they have already built up a tidy fan base in the UK.  

2022 saw the release of their first album Find a Better Way, this tour they are promoting their excellent 2024 release Restless. The 45 minute set was front loaded with six songs from this latest release, opening with Shake You Off before a short guitar intro by Ross Hayes Citrullo took us rocking into The Way I Am. Ross changed guitar for Gone Without Warning, producing a deeper earthier sound for this track. 

Now at this point I suspect a lot bands would have carried on with the up tempo tracks, but The Commoners took the bold step to introduce a couple of slower tracks into the set as vocalist Christ Medhurst took up the acoustic guitar for Restless and See You Again. Both tracks went down really well with the crowd, which by now Chris had eating out of his hands. I thought these two tracks really gave some light and shade to the performance, and was really pleased they were included.

The tempo was raised again with the final track from the new Restless album, Devil Teasin’ Me. Which had another guitar intro from Ross Hayes Citrullo.

 A short drum solo by Adam Cannon introduced two tracks from the first album, Fill my Cup and the title track Find a Better Way which closed the set and featured some great keyboards from Miles Evan Branagh. 

Based on the evidence of this evening I think this band will be one to look out for when they appear in the UK again. A great set.  

It was early 2016 when I was lucky enough to see The Sheepdogs supporting The Temperance Movement and I have been lucky enough to have seen them several times since then. They always deliver a great show and tonight was no exception.

Tonight kicked off with Find The Truth from the 2022 album Outta Sight, the band's last full album release. Classics like  Downtown,Let Me In and Bad Lieutenant (What a great song that is ) followed.

Ewen Curry was his usual cool unflustered self, leading the band with confidence and style.Ricky Paquette picked the introduction to Southern Dreaming to a mighty roar from the crowd.

This was followed by another couple of crowd pleasers in How Late, How Long and I've Got A Hole Where My Heart Should Be.It was the first time I had seen Ricky Paquette and in the live line up and he delivered tonight. Through out the set songs were extended as the band got into the groove as they set off in a jamming session.

Now it was time for 4 songs from the two 2024 EP releases Paradise Alone and Hell Together. These were well received by the enthusiastic Leeds crowd with everyone swaying along to Darlin' Baby.

After that we had Scarborough Street Fight which I am not sure is about the town in North Yorkshire or one closer to their home I will have to find out !!

The main set was brought to a close with a couple of classics in the shape of I Don't Know and Nobody .Much cheering, clapping and foot stomping brought the band back for RoughRider '89 and the only song they could finish with the groove rich Feeling Good.

A fantastic evening from this Canadian double bill.

NH

All photos credited to David Pickles and used with thanks.