The Packhorse in Leeds was “packed” to the rafters for another killer night courtesy of Mucky Pup Promotions. The lineup? Wildly eclectic, undeniably energetic, and absolutely unforgettable.
Yutani hit the stage with a bass-heavy barrage, immediately carving out their own unique sonic space. Imagine Suede-like vocals delivering deep melodic power—until they tear your throat out. It’s an onslaught that’s at times Brian Ferry-smooth, before splintering into a tirade of angry, raw power, all backed by deep bass, gritty guitar riffs, and relentless drums.
There’s a psychedelic undertone too, with synths that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Floyd record, giving a disted prog edge that seriously messes with your head.
“Chasing the Dragon” gets your body moving while dragging your mind into the undertow, with hard-hitting lyrics and a filthy bass/guitar interplay that refuses to let up. Frontman Will’s manic energy and crowd banter are an absolute winner—equal parts unhinged and hilarious.
“Ego (Eric is massive on TikTok!)” shifts the pace, letting each member of the band shine. It pushes you to the limit before a crescendo crashes down with disted yet somehow harmonious energy. Oh, and the new track “written in 1984” got a good laugh!
Their fabulously heavy take on “Funky Town” had the entire room jumping and screaming along to “funky time!”
“Wetherspoons!” delivered a dark, synth-heavy punk vibe that pulsed behind venomous lyrics before flipping into a bouncing interlude and a guitar solo full of soul—pure duality in action.
Then came “Shrooms!”—a psychedelic trip full of horses, sheep and fields at 4am (we’ve all been there). Thumping drums, disted bass lines and a meandering keyboard solo created a fun, chaotic instrumental that sent the pit into a frenzy. Don’t be fooled by appearances—Yutani’s set was a full-on adrenaline rush from start to finish.
Next up: Dead Stilettos, opening with “Deported”—a thumping mix of bass, drums, and sax overtones that set the stage for a bouncy, unpredictable set. With Jim Morrison-style spoken-word vocals, the band’s dynamic shifts in tempo kept the crowd on its toes.
Funky-punk vibes dominated, with playful crowd banter adding to a friendly, high-energy atmosphere. The singer’s range moved seamlessly from angry punk growls to deep, soulful crooning—leaving everyone wanting more.
The band’s sound brought reminders of Rollins Band and 90s punk—tight, punchy lyrics and skilled tempo changes throughout. An eclectic crowd lapped it up, cheering at every opportunity.
Heart-thumping bass lines, dirty guitar riffs, up-tempo keyboard parts and sax solos all combined for a massive, explosive wall of sound. Their showmanship was pure Beastie Boys energy—unapologetic and in-your-face.
Their upbeat sound camouflaged some seriously dark lyrics until those lines grabbed you by the throat—and elsewhere—and refused to let go. Frenetic and brutal, Dead Stilettos pushed every boundary, bringing the crowd to the edge… and then gleefully throwing them over.
Keep your ears open—their new two-track release drops May 22nd.
Headliners Cherry Fuzz Club wasted no time making their presence felt. Their opener, “Ding Dong”, pulled the audience straight into a whirlwind of punchy vocals and sharp tempo changes. Spiralling solos and thumping basslines propped up raw vocals that kept the room buzzing.
Their second track kicked off with a longer intro—a tight instrumental of drums and guitar—before a vocal onslaught reminiscent of early Black Flag and Dead Kennedys let rip. The ebb and flow between songs kept the crowd entranced, their sound morphing constantly yet never losing momentum.
There were flashes of early Pearl Jam in the vocals, Jimi Hendrix in the solos, and even a strange but effective overlay of Macho Man Randy Savage’s monologue during one slower, bass-heavy number that pulled the whole room into a weirdly enjoyable trance.
“Country” showcased their versatility, beginning with smooth guitar and caramel-toned vocals that lulled you into false security—then punched you square in the face. A rollercoaster of tone and tempo, it was a highlight of the set.
Then came their cover of “Where’s Your Head At?”—a totally reimagined take that hit hard and sounded phenomenal live. The crowd was with them the whole way, and the band fed off that energy like pros.
They ended on a high with a final track full of bounce and raw emotion. You could tell the band were loving every second of their headline moment, and the audience loved them right back.
The lineup brought together a wild range of sounds and styles, and somehow made it all feel cohesive. Mucky Pup Promotions once again delivered a gig full of heart, chaos, and serious talent. Down-to-earth, friendly, and undeniably skilled—each band brought something unique to the night.
A genuinely electric evening. Can’t wait for the next one!
