Words by Charlotte Foulkes
Photography by Spela Cedilnik
An evening of swelling riffs and brooding basslines, Legss’ first gig of the year at the Old Blue has only left us wanting more.
Legss had been laying quite low towards the latter half of 2024, only playing a handful of gigs, but it seems 2025 will mark their resurgence. The experimental 4-piece released Fester in June 2023, the final of their EP Trilogy following 'Doomswayers' and 'Writhing Comedy'. A melancholy bargaining with the future, showcasing their more delicate side and a slight side step from the London post-punk mêlée. Ever since, they have left us waiting patiently for new music - though they have been hinting at some new offerings for the (hopefully-not-so-distant) future - having finished recording their debut album in October.
A few days prior, they revealed themselves as the secret headline of their first gig of the year at the Old Blue Last, presented by Joy Concerts - and what a Joy it was! Loads piled into the Shoreditch venue nice and early to catch Manchester’s Moss Side Sauna Club , the alternative trio who warmed up the crowd perfectly. Next up was Porchlight, who seemed to really impress viewers with their medley of guitar riffs, and electronic tinge - with a few songs led by a drum-machine. The frontman roused the audience with a great stage presence, accompanied with some harmonising from the other guitarist. I’m looking forward to catching them again sometime, after the energy they brought to a cold Monday night!
Onto the main event, as 4 pairs of Legss (Louis Grace, Ned Green, Max Oliver and Jake Martin) graced the stage. It was great to see them back up in their element. Green captivated the crowd with his poetic delivery of quite oblique songs and some spoken word introductions. The quartet seemed to be really in sync with each other - the interweaving of guitar tones from Green and Oliver and the layers of Green and Grace’s vocals. The 3 upfront even all moved in sync rocking back and forth during heavy moments, aligning with the beat.
They played new songs mostly, indicative of their new ventures for 2025. It seems they have continued to move past the janky - cranky stuff, becoming far more considered in every sound they make. Their control and temper made for even more passionate moments of release and heaviness - waves of sound that conveyed strong emotion. Partnered with an attentive and responsive crowd, their new step towards the slower, bigger sounds seems to be welcomed, yet you can tell fans still loved the few they played us from Fester. They have proven to be a formidable bunch who only continue to mature since their formation nearly 7 years ago now. It was a pleasure and joy to see their first gig of 2025 (of many I’m sure) for free on a Monday night in an intimate lofty venue like the Old Blue!
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