Darwin Deez has successfully built up a solid and dedicated fan base in both the UK and US over a career that, so far, spans across six years and has spawned three albums. It’s surprising, then, that tonight he’s playing only the smaller room of beloved Sheffield venue The Leadmill. Predictably, it’s a sold out show, which means that there are plenty of people crammed into a space that’s just a bit bigger than your grandma’s front room. Perhaps Darwin Deez and his band booked to play this room on purpose – there’s no denying there is a tangibly electric and intimate atmosphere surrounding tonight’s gig, which makes it the perfect setting to Deez’ spiky, catchy, and loveable pop songs.
Support tonight comes from London three-piece Peluchè. Their sun drenched set comes with obvious inspiration from bands like Warpaint and Tame Impala; it’s overtly experimental and can almost be described as psychedelic. There’s no denying they’re a brilliant live band, however, their sound isn’t the most appropriate to be opening for Darwin Deez. Instead of warming the crowd up for Darwin Deez’ exciting live set, it did the opposite and made the atmosphere more mellow, which wasn’t very apt for the headline band.
After a bizarre start to the night, Darwin Deez takes to the stage with his band, in the most unconventional way possible – instead of just walking on and picking up their instruments and playing a song, they dance. Yeah. They actually dance. The crowd bursts and cheers in excitement, encouraging Darwin and his bandmates to continue their bizarre, techno inspired moves. This dissolves into brilliant set opener ‘Constellations’. Tonight’s setlist is mostly heavy with hits from his first self-titled album, which doesn’t disappoint the crowd. Highlights from this includes, perhaps rather predictably, the infectious and upbeat ‘Radar Detector’, as well as including the heartbreakingly sad ‘Bed Space’. The lyrics “I’m just drifting around / Since you’ve been gone / I’m just wasting time away / I’m just wasting time in space” provokes a nostalgic singalong from the crowd.
Tonight’s show is part of the tour Darwin Deez is currently on in support of latest album Double Down which was released in September of this year. ‘The Mess She Made’, taken from said album, is also another highlight from tonight’s setlist. But the song that impresses most of all is ‘Chelsea’s Hotel’, taken from second album Songs For Imaginative People. It’s accompanied by a face-meltingly good guitar solo, to which Darwin says after playing it “who’s a guitar player in here?” which results in a few eager arms raised in the air. He replies bluntly with “oh, so, like, only five people in this room enjoyed that”.
After the band play their last song, an encore is eagerly demanded for by the crowd. Of course, it’s ‘Bad Day’, but what precedes this and impresses most of all is the Q and A that takes place. Darwin’s microphone is passed through the crowd and questions are answered by the man himself. It’s a wonderful end to a wonderful night. If you’re a Darwin Deez fan, it’s a no brainer – you need to see him live.
Words by Emmie Morris
@_emmiem