Singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich created an atmosphere at the Brudenell Social club on Wednesday I had until then overlooked. Starting his new tour at the Leeds venue supported by ‘The Sorry Kisses’, Benjamin created a unique acoustic experience filling the venue with his whimsical solo acoustic sound. The music that evening I knew would be calm, thoughtful and melancholic, that much I had gathered from listening to a brief few moments of the artists upcoming EP ‘Pictures’.
I love the Brudenell and go as often as I can to catch the latest acts on their early tours, but something on Wednesday was different. The venue had set up candle lit tables surrounding the front of the stage, giving more of an impression of a jazz club than a local social in the depths of north Leeds. I even ran into a friend who had taken his girlfriend on a date and was sitting at one of these tables with a bottle of wine.

First on stage was singer-songwriter Brudenell barmaid Suzanne Elizabeth Marron offering a selection of original tracks with a folky love song foundation. The artist really gave off a sense of varied emotions playing a heartfelt love song followed by a track she explained she had written when she was ‘very angry’. The set was a great start to the evening, and her cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’ was a particular highlight. Main support act were ‘The Sorry Kisses’ the united efforts of Hayley Hutchinson and Sam Forrest.They seemed an unlikely couple, yet their harmonies were good and their simple musical tones were enjoyable. The pair shared vocals and without any drums in sight, relied solely on guitar, bass and the odd blow on a harmonica. Unfortunately, just like many of the others who sat around me I began to lose interest and focus more on my own conversation; the band didn’t seem particularly engaging. It would be going to far to suggest ‘The Sorry Kisses’ are simply background music, and I have heard the new album ‘Keep Smiling’ is a great record, but maybe this set has not seen it justice.

As Benjamin Francis Leftwich came on stage, the crowd went silent, and that was how things were to stay. There was an almost festival quality to the gig, with people sitting on the floor to enjoy the music rather than crowding at the front of the stage. The artist drew the audience’s full attention from the onset, and kept them peacefully engaged till the end of his unplugged tracks towards the end of the evening. I have to admit that Benjamin’s style of music has never really been to my taste, but I found the set he performed inspiring. Certainly king of the ‘one man band’ I was struck by how easily he demanded the attention of the crowd. He played a selection of tracks, new and old, some from his previous debut EP release ‘A Million Miles Out’ and others from the soon to be released ‘Pictures’. His tracks are simple and easy listening, ranging from melancholic to optimistic. He is vocally superb, and his voice works well the passive acoustic guitar sound he produces. There was certainly personal tone to the gig; the audience was told little anecdotes about the artist’s inspirations and stories of bedroom recordings, with Benjamin avoiding becoming too clichéd. The artist’s coy personality between tracks played off well with his confidence and focus during his actual performance.

The growing hype around the artist is well deserved, and he is a pleasure to watch. I expect great things from his debut album and will definitely be seeing him perform again.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Rebellion ( Arcade Fire Cover) by Mud Hut Digital

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Pictures by Mud Hut Digital
Benjamin Francis Leftwich ‘Atlas Hands’ by Generator