Touring to promote their fourth album, Excuse Me While I Vanish, the powerhouse Cornish trio delivered delight to Brighton’s Green Door Store. 

BOON has reviewed this band seven times over the past six years and each time they have delivered a five star performance. That is a record. When you hear the quality of lyrics and song construction and delivery this is no surprise. This outfit is consistently superb on the road and in the studio. 

Predictably compelling live, frontman Ruarri Joseph is backed by the rock solid yet sophisticated rhythm section of Harry Harding on drums and Naomi Holmes on bass. 

The set featured seven tracks from the new album, and seven from their second and third albums. The tempo varied but the consistency of delivery maintained the intensity throughout the set. Starting with a new track, Sitting Pretty, the band moved onto Bleeding On The Soundtrack  from the second album and then the slower, incessant groove of Sheepskin Sleeve  from the new album and Quiet Life  from the third. 

Throughout the set Joseph was very relaxed, modestly commenting after the show that he thought that they had “played well”. There was some lighthearted banter between Joseph, a member of the audience and Harding the drummer.  Standout tracks of the night included The Bruises, Elsie’s Friend, the crowd pleaser Thank Me Later, The Tether and Move On.

Credit should go to James, the sound engineer who achieved the perfect balance between voice and instrument, allowing the lyrics and vocal delivery of frontman Ruarri Joseph to shine brightly. One music industry insider at the Brighton gig posted on social media “William The Conqueror demonstrating once again why they’re one of the best bands in the UK right now.”

The William The Conqueror tour rolls on, as does the band’s glorious wall of sound.  Roll on the next album and tour.

Photos and words: Chaz Brooks