Live Review: Millie Manders & The Shutup at Key Club, Leeds

Friday night saw the Key Club in Leeds play host to UK punk rock stalwarts Millie Manders & The Shutup. Support on the night came from local band Velvet Fist, and the Barrow-in-Furness-based father-daughter duo Voodoo Radio.

Review and Photos by Graeme Smith

Key Club is nestled below Jumbo Records in the Merrion Centre in Leeds, in the shadow of the Arena. A dingy basement, it’s a home for modern punks. A sign at the bar warns against sexism, ableism and transphobia, among other things, and a telly plays ’00s emo rock music videos on repeat.

It was shortly after doors that local five-piece Velvet Fist came on but things were already quite bustling in the cosy venue. Being on first can be tricky but they managed to warm up the room thanks to their magnetic frontwoman and an energetic set of pop punk that included a cover of Billie Eilish’s hit Bad Guy.

Following them was that most rare of acts, a father-daughter duo. Barrow-in-Furness’s Voodoo Radio make a lot of noise for a two-piece. The singer plays a stripped-back drum kit with gusto while her sixty-three-year-old father shreds on guitar. They proved a crowd-pleaser with their comedic double act between songs about slag heaps, one night stands and threesomes (sorry, love triangles.)

Then it was time for the main event. Is there a better live act in the UK right now than Millie Manders & The Shutup? I’m not sure based on last night’s evidence. Their energy started high and never faltered. There were no tricks or bells or whistles (though there was a sax). All they needed was the fire of frontwoman Millie and a tight set of blistering, politically-charged punk to captivate the appreciative Leeds audience. Will a new album on the horizon in August, I’m sure they’ll be welcomed back soon.