Being relatively new to the band (I’d heard 'Plastic People' and loved it), I wasn’t really prepared for the onslaught of magnificent sound that awaited me when I stood waiting for Yak to begin their TGE set. Lucky enough to have got to The Haunt reasonably early, I had a prime spot close to the stage. The venue filled up quickly, the rest of the audience obviously more clued up than I was.
From the first Yak showed an originality lacking in so many bands currently on the scene. The electric aura the band emitted as they blazed through their set, bringing dynamism and a primal energy to the stage, is hard to do justice to with mere words. Bringing tracks like ‘Hungry Heart’, ‘Smile’, and the ultimate triumph of ‘Plastic People’, to life, I was impressed to see that Yak live were even better than in the studio, the mark of a great band. Such was the energy the band produced, it was an almost palpable force emanating from the stage. I can’t remember the last time a band I had hardly heard before had such a jaw-dropping effect on me.
Letting the audience know they were playing at a house party after the gig, I was left wondering where Yak would get the energy, as they seemed to be putting every last ounce of vitality into their performance at The Haunt. As ‘Plastic People’ came to an end, instruments kicked over in a last maniacal outburst, I was left thinking how lucky I was to have a ticket to Sound City where I could see the band again in less than a week. I give Yak 10 out of 10 for their live set. What I’m going to do after Sound City to get my fix, I’m not sure. I’ll have to keep you posted.
RIFFED's Rating: 10/10
Listen to Yak with 'Hungry Heart' via YouTube: