It’s not every day you come across a connection between Leeds, West Yorkshire and Searcy, Arkansas.
Formed in the state of Washington just before the turn of the millennium, Gossip have gone on to become an institution in indie rock. With the soulful-swaggering ways of frontwoman Beth Ditto, the loud and bombastic lead has been a huge part of the reason why the group have gone on to reach great heights.
With five albums put out across two decades, Gossip have become an international sensation within the LGBTQ+ community. From the United States across the pond to places such as London and Liverpool, England, they have been to Glastonbury Festival, have popped up to Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, have played with the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Erasure and the Scissor Sisters and collaborated with esteemed producer Rick Rubin.
Two reunions later, and the trio are back with a brand new tune. To commemorate their sixth album ‘Real Power’, the bumpkin gospel of punks have made their way back across the pond, arriving in Leeds as part of their late-summer 2024 tour of Europe!
As the summer draws to a close, Leeds did not exactly hold up their end of the bargain weather-wise, as the rain poured down on a young September evening. Still, this didn’t deter fans and gig-goers from standing in the rain outside of The Wardrobe. Home to some of music’s best-kept secrets since the new millennium, The Wardrobe actually celebrates its twenty-fifth birthday this year! Happy birthday!
As the crowd piled into the downstairs space of The Wardrobe, the horseshoe-like floor in the centre of the room filled up in no time. Despite the autumnal chill outside, this room was the opposite – it was a sticky September night and I had chosen to wear layers.
The Yummy Fur kicked things off, providing their own 1990s-infused brand of indie rock to the forefront of England once more. Established from 1992, the Glaswegian troupe called it a day in 1999 before making a welcome comeback in 2010.
After over a decade of playing sparingly, here they were for just their second show of the year! Enjoying a renaissance of their own, they came across older, wiser and very enthusiastic about putting on an impression to an entirely new generation of potential followers.
With the clanging of guitars and sexually-infused lyrics, the group swam fluidly through their set, making half an hour feel just too short to digest the total experience. It was a welcome opening act for the headline to come. “Sexy World” made Leeds its home for one night, with the packed house (or Wardrobe) clinging on to every beat they performed.
It’s so great to see bands and artists come back to play in these supporting roles, not only for the nostalgic segments of fans, but to provide a great alternative perspective in the grand scope of music. Where Gossip brought the feeling and emotion, The Yummy Fur kicked things off with a different take – more 1990s-induced, less modern, and with more witty, Scottish banter onstage.
All evening long I took note of the obvious impression a band like Gossip has had on fans of different ages. As I witnessed older people walking hand-in-hand, younger groups having the time of their life decked out in rainbow colours and Gossip’s branding, and acknowledged those dressed in rainbows and draped in nonbinary flags, it was obvious there were no generational barriers, no divisions amongst this group’s listeners and watchers.
It’s an admirable feat to achieve and with a group such as Gossip, whose vocalist Beth Ditto identifies as a lesbian and champions for LGBTQ+ rights (including support for the abortion rights movement, and opposing anti bills), their power is only going to grow greater over time. In the modern age, society is more transparent than ever before to the true colours of individuals in many countries. A presence such as Gossip has the ability to provide freedom and empowerment to the community, no matter the age or background of the listener.
And so, the show went on!
Beth connected with the audience through their entire set, bringing her aunt agony experiences to the stage for
us to listen out for. Ripe with spirit and full of joy for being able to play before a stacked venue, Gossip played many of their historical hits. As they shattered the worldviews of yesteryear, they brought the house down, with many vibing in their own way. At the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about?
With “Real Power’s” release this past March, the weaponised band showed their ultimate selves through song and performance. From the gospel choir-inspired vocals, to jazzy and punky instrumentation, this southern flavour of Americana brought Leeds to a standstill in over an hour of performing.
There are few cities in the United Kingdom with as rich a history of LGBTQ culture as ours. Many American bands have been able to consider the UK their second-home of sorts – just look back to the heavy metal movement of the 1970s and 80s, where Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest frequently played in nightclubs and ballrooms across our great isles. More contemporarily, look at the success imports such as The Killers, Lana Del Ray and the Blacked Eyed Peas have had in Britain over the past twenty years.
And where a loyal fanbase such as Leeds become dedicated to something that catches their interest, including that the band Gossip have made a household topic and conversation – excuse the pun – they have brought the gossip to the party, and they have made it gospel!
Liberating and fun – packed into one dim, moody September night in West Yorkshire!
Gossip are in the final stretch of their 2024 European tour, with one remaining date on Sunday, September 8 in the Netherlands. In March they released their sixth record, “Real Power”, available to listen now on Spotify. For updates on when they’ll be coming to a town near you, check out bethditto.com.
The Yummy Fur continue to make energetic one-offs in Glasgow, and once in a blue moon in England. Keeping a lower profile, you can check them out on Spotify, as well as follow them on Facebook for updates.
All photography by Patrycja Maziarz.
