Review: The Cribs, Picture House (Haddowfest)

Over the past ten years the Wakefield three-piece have encapsulated all that is best with the lo-fi indie spirit twinned with mainstream melodic charm.

And as they took to the stage at the Picture House last night they only reinforced the promoters gainful decision, opening up with Come On And Be A No-One before charging headlong into a raucous set filled with back-in-the-day classics and new album alerts.

Pints of beer flew, arms were draped around friends (and strangers!), and new shoes were ruined as the throng hurled themselves headlong into the Jarman-inspired furore.

The brothers didn’t just consign themselves to offering up a host of fan-favourites including Mirror Kissers, We Share The Same Skies and debut-album offering Another Number, they also included a number of rarities.

Our Bovine Public received a rare outing, while the trio also performed B-side To Jackson.

Following a spirited performance of Jaded Youth drummer Ross took to perching on the drum stool to keep time with Back to the Bolthole.

Fan’s favourites Mirror Kissers and I’m a Realist  followed and the 1500  spectators replied in pogoing fashion before Be Safe ushered an air of indie reverence into the room as Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo loomed from the screen behind the band to deliver his spoken- word piece.

Crowd pleasers Men’s Needs and Wrong Way to Be then followed to lift both the crowd and the tempo once more.

The trio had emerged to the strains of God Gave Rock n Roll To You before delivering a crashing and pounding delivery of what that may just mean in 2012.

And for the many converted on Sunday night, given the dearth of current tune-filled guitar bands around these days, they may just have to make do with becoming the outsider band that all rock fans come to honour.

Rating: ****