Music / Review
Review: The Hara, The Fleece – ‘You could almost see the pillars moving’
As night fell and the darkness began to show, people came out in swarms as they ventured down to The Fleece to be a part of the seventeen date rock/alternative tour with The Hara.
As the room began to fill with dozens of multi-coloured heads and ripped skinny jeans, there was a chill in the air. The chill you get with goosebumps when something special happens. It almost felt as if you weren’t wearing an item of black clothing, you stood out like a black sheep – Ironic no?
The first support act who goes by the name of Kable performed a collection of original tunes that began to warm up the crowd. Although looking no older than teenagers, they certainly proved they were professionals in their own right. After them, Jason Allan took to the stage. With his band unable to be at the gig, the pressure was on Allan to deliver and to set the bar. Both of which he exceeded expectations.
is needed now More than ever
Afterwards, the venue continued to blast songs from its speakers in preparation. The crowd began to shout back the lyrics to classic rock hits such as Sugar We’re Going Down to The Ace of Spades. Before any live music alone, the energy from the crowd was felt, heard and known.
The time had come for The Hara. Lights flashing, fans screaming and there they were. One by one walking to their instruments and as the drummer and guitarist began to play the first riff, Tom, the lead singer, ran out to greet the fans delivering fast-paced, continuous energy all throughout the set.
They had the whole crowd under their control, credit: Ben Nicholls
Full of surprises, Tom used the venue to his advantage by climbing and wrapping himself around the pillars in front of the stage, starting mosh pits, stage diving, doing headstands on stage, the list goes on. At one point, he performed a magic trick on himself by vanishing into the darkness and then appearing to stand up on the main bar. Tom had the whole crowd under his control and he knew what he was doing.
After Tom made a quick costume change from a full suit to stripping down to just a skirt, the crowd and the band went up another gear. Delivering some of their best known tunes such as Friends and Fool & The Thief, you could almost see the pillars moving.
After the band finished their last song, Tom lifted up a flag with the band’s logo on which became a defining moment that night. It felt like he had unified the crowd and brought everyone together. Maybe he was a magician after all? The crowd began to leave the venue with sweat on their brow, shoes that clearly now needed a good wash and a comfortable feeling of satisfaction after what they had just witnessed.
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Main photo: Ben Nicholls
Read more: Review: Focus, The Fleece
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