Words and images by Kieran Whitfield
The Cribs truly sold a vibe at The Boiler Shop on March 18, as the first date of their ‘Selling a Vibe’ UK tour. The band did not miss when they chose Newcastle as their starting point — with a sold out crowd and plenty of happy faces, there was an undeniably happy aura in the air.
Fifteen minutes before doors, the queue hugged the side of the building, a cascade of T-shirts proudly imprinted with ‘The Cribs’, as well as garments showing love for other notable britpop and indie bands; it was safe to say, from the queue alone, the gig would be phenomenal.
With many pints sank, and the barrier safely grasped, it was time for support, Courting, a four-piece Scouse electronic-rock band. Established in 2018, this band has definitely implemented their name in the scene, which was evident through members of the crowd singing their hearts out and bouncing along to their tunes. The energy was as bright as the dazzling stage lights behind them, with a smiley front man, and erratic keys player, their sound was truly matched by their vibe, which created a fun stage presence.
When Courting’s reign ended, a 40-minute gap prevailed, giving fans an opportunity for fans to splash out on merch, or another cheeky pint.
Then, the stage was set. A banner hung proudly displaying ‘The Cribs’. Perhaps the most exciting moment at a concert: the moment before the headliner makes an entrance. As a proud trio, the band made their way onto the stage with a very warm Newcastle welcome.
They opened with Dark Luck, the opening song of their latest album, and despite the fact that the album was released a mere two months ago, the crowd consisted of true fans. Unlike some other concerts I’ve attended in the past, even the new tunes received their fair share of attention, which can be a triumph, especially for bands who have been around for a while. The set carried on with consistent pace, even after Gary Jarman (bassist and co-vocalist) sent his microphone stand flying across the stage! As this was the first date of their latest album’s tour, this was the live debut of many new songs, and as someone who had never listened to Selling a Vibe, the gig has pushed me to have a listen, which is a true testament to the band’s ability to perform live.
Overall, the gig was not one to be missed, with a lively audience and a fantastic set consisting of the classics such as Men’s Needs, and We share the Same Skies, as well as songs from Selling a Vibe. I’m sure this gig has set The Cribs up for a tour of excellent vibes and flawless memories.
Listen to Selling a Vibe here:
