Fans of Years and Years know that good things come to those who wait.
The trio have been releasing the odd single and EP here and there since 2010 with their debut album Communion released in 2015 effectively becoming their greatest hits.
Their brand spanking new UK tour ties it all together.
This is their biggest British tour to date with all bar one show sold out. The step up from their last appearance at the intimate King Tuts to the behemoth O2 Academy in Glasgow is also quite the promotion.
Years & Years, singer Olly Alexander, bass guitarist Mikey Goldsworthy and keyboardist Emre Turkmen took to the stage last night in front of a packed and eager crowd.
Singer Olly Alexander danced around the stage like a giddy little kid who has just been told he can have anything he wants in the sweet shop.
The stage was flooded with moody atmospheric lighting which shrouded the view with dark red then Goldsworthy and Turkmen took the helm at their keyboards, one at either side. The pair looked at each other and gave a friendly nod, the background music had been dramatically rising up to one of their hits but it was taking a while – cue an awkward scratch of the head.
Eventually the singer’s mysterious background vocals produced an actual Olly Alexander and he finished the song triumphantly. With each song he became cheekier and cheekier, busting out moves you would probably expect five sambuca shots into a Friday night.
THANKYOU GLASGOW YOU WERE AMAZING pic.twitter.com/WOGhifcqyL
— Years & Years (@yearsandyears) March 29, 2016
Singer Olly Alexander danced around the stage in a 90s acid jumper and trouser combo like a giddy little kid who has just been told he can have anything he wants in the sweet shop. Bless him though, his excitement levels were genuinely through the roof. His eyes scanned the crowd as if he couldn’t believe the amount of people who had shown up and his face lit up when songs were loudly echoed back without instruction.
What is with this trend for artists to perform a live medley of Drake’s Hotline Bling alongside assorted hits? Alexander mixed “You used to call me on my cell phone” with Katy Perry’s Dark Horse and improved each song by 1000 percent.
The show was a non-stop party with each song igniting the crowd to dance to their jam. It was just like when you are at a flat gathering and a song comes on that is a total tune so there’s no other option but to dance. The highlight moment was Shine, an 80s glittery synth pop track with roaring vocals and chorus and the most popular track on the album.
The band’s one and only album is packed with hit after hit. Every song feels like a powerful statement touching on themes such as controlling relationships and sexuality, while still radiating a colourful and fun electro pop backdrop. Close your eyes and their tropical synth will transport you to a summer festival.
On that note, they will be playing at Glastonbury which has recently been rumoured to be releasing a second wave of tickets…
Featured image credit: Years & Years Official Facebook Page.
