After the sad (but temporary) closure of their beloved record store venue Pop Recs LTD, it comes as no surprise that this ever-dynamic indie outfit are determined to be back and better than ever on the gigging circuit. With a brilliant set of support acts in tow, Frankie & the Heartstrings invigorated Newcastle’s rustic Cluny on Friday night to launch their much-anticipated third album, Decency.
Of course, the group are far from newcomers to the unique crowds of the North East music scene. Since the release of their debut in 2011, they’ve showcased their utterly danceable back catalogue in hundreds of venues across the region – from the independent record shops of Sunderland and Newcastle to a number of sizeable festivals. This Friday they solidified their status as kings of the local crowd, as the modest back room of the Cluny quickly became full to the brim with fans.
First on the bill was the incredibly talented Tom Smith. A hugely confident and refreshing stage presence at only 11 years old, his opening set of various acoustic hits (including that of Frankie & the Heartstrings themselves) kicked off the evening in the best way possible, leaving the crowd singing, dancing and cheering wildly. Up next came the debut performance of Pop Recs’ very own Rhys Patterson, a fresh-faced newcomer who most certainly proved himself as one to watch. Although visibly nervous, the young musician quickly owned the stage with ease through a dreamlike combination of soft vocal tones and uniquely compelling guitar riffs. Durham’s infamous DIY-Punksters and final support act Martha followed, acting as a direct contrast to the previous acts whilst they proceeded to electrify the tiny venue with a sizeable depth of reverberating sound. Along with a number of intensely fast-paced tracks – of which musically appeared to be partway between The Clash and Los Campesinos! – the set was laced with political wit, allowing the 4-piece to rouse sense of satisfyingly anarchic working-class solidarity for the annual Durham Miner’s Gala, set to take place the following day.
Finally came the pivotal act of the evening. Much to the delight of what was, by now, an incredibly sweaty crowd, Frankie & the Heartstrings burst onstage and made no delay in launching into a plethora of unbeatable indie-pop tunes. As ever, each member of the band played with an equal amount of incredible zeal: frontman Frankie Francis sent the audience wild with his instantly recognisable (and hugely energetic) showmanship, whilst new guitarist Ross Millard proved to fit in seamlessly with his accomplished bandmates. Musically, the performance was an exhilarating one – after the introduction of a small brass section halfway through the set, brand new tracks such as ‘Money’ were brought to life for the very first time. Plus, some of the group’s well-known hits were instantly updated for the joyful gratification of the truly dedicated audience. Following a brief cake interlude to celebrate the birthday of bassist Michael Matthews, they exited the stage – only to re-appear dressed to the nines in the powder blue finery from the music video for Decency’s lead single, ‘Think Yourself Lucky’. Naturally, the band proceeded to bring the night to an impressive climax with an eerily accurate re-enactment of the loveable video, before closing with a powerfully emotive rendition of the wonderfully poignant track ‘Fragile’.
Leaving the Cluny to make the sizeable trek home, one thing was clear from the post-gig thrill of the dispersing crowd: in one night, Frankie & The Heartstrings have achieved their goal of launching Decency into the indie stratosphere, as well as proving themselves as one of greatest live acts to grace the venues of the North East.
Words by Emily Ingram