Mancunian four-piece punk pop rockers, Spring King stopped off in Bedford and slayed last Friday.
Following an epic week; they lit the roof on fire on Jools Holland, dropped their latest single Summer and topped it off by putting a jewel in their crown by reigning supreme at Esquires.
Lead singer and drummer, Tarek Musa is cool, calm and collected wearing a white, blue and pastel pink floral t-shirt along with a salmon coloured cap. He sits on his stool, picks up his sticks and transforms into a cosmic ball of dizzying drum pounding energy.
Flanked by guitarists; messy man bun wearing James, bearded Andy and wild haired (he don’t care) Pete; the four piece jump straight into fast paced and punchy opener, ‘Better Man,’ the packed room of teens, lads and couples instantly comes to life.
The crowd eagerly crows and claps along to latest single, ‘Summer’ a jingly jangly sun drenched slice of infectious pop with a magical melody, the band sing in sync, “The Summer’s here, BURNS my eyes.”
In the middle of the room, a two-three man mosh pit springs to life, uniting the charged youth, their heads rocking back and forth, fist pumps in the air – they’re out to revel and let loose. At one point, buzzing from the crowd’s reaction and somewhat surprised, Tarek charmingly says, “What have we done to deserve you guys?”
Great Show in Bedford on Friday night ! @springkingband @padpresents pic.twitter.com/ptmEUXKlir
— Neil McCarty (@Neil_McCarty) May 15, 2016
A change of pace comes on ‘They’re Coming After You’, Tarek leaves the drums, comes to the front of the stage, mic in hand and momentarily out of place. A singalong ensues, to the spooky ghost-like howls of, “Who are you, they’re coming after you.”
On fuzzy guitar inflected Detroit, inspired by falling in love and getting his heart broken (the crowd aww’s in sympathy, “we all have break ups don’t we?”), Tarek cries out “I don’t want to be nowhere else except Detroit City!”
Mid way through the set, a little weary, Tarek smiles and triumphantly says, “We’ve come to the part of the set where I’m tired but I keep on playing!”
Spring King’s live energy is raw yet polished to perfection; filled with fun, feel-good indie anthems and melodies that let you dance away your demons. Let’s Ride, a frenetic roller coaster of a song, sees Tarek and co yell in unison, “I wanna ride, go faster, faster!”
On melodious ‘Mumma’, a bopping and bubbly song, inspired by his mum, Tarek coos into the mic ‘Hold her close, and tell her what her future holds.’
During ‘In All This Murk & Dirt’, Tarek passionately sings, “It’s the FEELING! It’s the FEELING! In all this murk and dirt,” as if he’s chanelling all the good vibrations from potting plants or you know hacking them to death.
Great night at @BedfordEsquires on Friday with @springkingband @padpresents pic.twitter.com/6nsdca9giV
— Neil McCarty (@Neil_McCarty) May 15, 2016
Crowd pleaser City leaves fans fizzing, wanting more. Cheeky grins exchanged, the fiery foursome launch into a raucous song to end the set, which sees them shout, “I’m so fucking tired of my mind!”
The music stops. The Spring King’s smile. Then just like that, they’re gone, through the stage door as fast as they rocketed through the set.
You’re left standing, stunned, overcome with waves of euphoric emotion.
Bedford was great tonight, thanks to everyone who came down and said hi afterwards ❤️ big love to ya x — Spring King (@springkingband) May 14, 2016
Catch these dealers of good vibes live on tour.
