Eyre Llew: A Night of Atmospheric Soundscapes and Euphoria
Eyre Llew - Photos by Liv McCarthy
Let’s dive in... Knowing the Eyre Llew boys for years and being a bit of a fangirl, how could I not review their gig?! I arrived early, savouring a cold and refreshing bodega ‘shandy,’ while an eager queue was already forming, buzzing with anticipation for the night ahead.
The Albions exploded onto the stage to kick off the night! This local four-piece alt-rock indie band, hailing from both Nottingham and Derby, are yet another talented export from Confetti. Their chaotic yet vibrant energy, fused with a pulsating bassline, had the crowd instantly hooked. With anthemic chants echoing through the room, they stirred the audience into a frenzy. They're gearing up for their single release on 25th September, so definitely check them out!
The Albions
Next up was Drew Thomas—no introduction needed, just pure sass, fire, and vocal mastery. His band moved effortlessly through the set, as though they had performed together in a past life. When they launched into ‘Trying to Be You,’ the crowd’s connection was palpable, resonating with that all-too-familiar longing to be someone else. Drew’s releasing a new single this Friday! Check out his site for details.
Drew Thomas
But who was I really here for? Eyre Llew, of course!
The moment they took the stage, the room fell into an anticipatory hush. Eyre Llew’s eclectic sound washed over the audience, crafting an atmosphere akin to being at a festival, with their instruments beckoning to our ears, calling out with an irresistible pull. The room swelled with bodies, filling almost instantly as the band set a hypnotic, ambient tone.
Eyre Llew’s music is visceral—hitting you square in the chest, awakening emotions you weren’t even aware were there. Their performance was a testament to the power of instrumental storytelling. ‘Atelo,’ in particular, encapsulated this perfectly. It’s a song that seems to both break and mend your soul in the same breath. Heroic and cathartic, it felt like a swirling, ethereal light illuminating the faces of the crowd, casting them in a shared moment of introspection.
Sam’s soaring, blissful vocals added a profound depth to the already stellar musicianship of the band. Each member has their own unique artistic energy, yet together they synchronise effortlessly, creating something far greater than the sum of their parts.
The crowd was especially ready for ‘Oban.’ Phones shot up across the room, eager to capture the electric energy pouring from the stage. Laurie and Jack even switched roles mid-set, with Laurie stepping from behind the piano to pick up a guitar—oozing charisma as he did so. The crowd chanted his name, fully swept up in the magic of the moment.
Finally, the crescendo everyone had been waiting for arrived with ‘Edca.’ Just as the song seemed to come to a close, the band roared back in with renewed intensity, sending the audience into an ecstatic fervour. The euphoria was contagious, and as the final notes rang out, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, sealing off the night with a bang. Eyre Llew are performing at 229 in London on 18th September—definitely check them out!
I caught up with them later and this is what they had to say:
Who is the first to fall asleep on the road?
That accolade has to go to our long-serving, legendary sound engineer, Marc ‘Reevseyyy’ Reeves. He’s typically the first one to nod off in the van, often sleeping in the most uncomfortable, neck-twisting positions!
Which band member stays out the latest?
Undoubtedly, this goes to Jack Bennett. He’s got a talent for making friends, beer in hand, and diving into deep conversations wherever we are. He’s usually the one who shows up at 5 a.m. with a bunch of new friends and a wild story after a show!
What do you hope your music brings to people?
We started out just wanting to write beautiful music, but it evolved into what one fan described as “hopeful” music. Over the years, we’ve realised the emotional impact our music has had on people, hearing stories about how it’s helped them through tough and beautiful times. It’s humbling to think that something we wrote in a garage has touched so many lives.
Where was ‘Atelo’ written?
We wrote ‘Atelo’ between 2016 and 2017, mostly in our live room. We pieced some of it together during soundchecks on tour in Europe. Our first album was written together in a room, but this new one came together while we were apart during lockdown. Despite the different processes, it still sounds like Eyre Llew!
What’s next?
Album two is on the way next year! We’re heading to Abbey Road soon to master it, thanks to the 450 supporters who crowdfunded the project in March. We’ve got big plans for its release, including tours, music videos, and maybe even a festival to celebrate! We’ll also be working on album three, and hopefully, playing a bunch of festivals too. We love festivals!
Eyre Llew continue to amaze with their emotive, atmospheric sound, and with a new album on the horizon, they’re a band you definitely want to continue to keep your eye on.