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Middlesbrough Town Hall - 14th February 2024
Love was in the air as You Me At Six graced Middlesbrough this Valentine’s Day.
Photos and Review by James Robinson @shotbyjsr
In an emotional, bittersweet evening, You Me At Six gave the notion of a band just starting out, excited for the challenges ahead, rather than the veterans of the rock scene en route to their farewell tour next year. Announcing their split at the end of January added a layer of significance, as for some fans, this might be the last time they get to see the band they grew up listening to live.
Taking the stage with the venue charged with excitement and a layer of melancholy, they kick off their set with ‘Room to Breathe’ as frontman Josh Franceschi announces that this ‘is the beginning of the end’. They go on to play ‘Fresh Start Fever’, 'Reckless', and ‘Kiss and Tell', signalling to fans, new and old, that they’re in for a treat with a wide range of their discography yet to come for the rest of the night, rather than just celebrating the ‘Cavalier Youth’ album as some might have expected.
Taking the stage with the venue charged with excitement and a layer of melancholy, they kick off their set with ‘Room to Breathe’ as frontman Josh Franceschi announces that this ‘is the beginning of the end’. They go on to play ‘Fresh Start Fever’, 'Reckless', and ‘Kiss and Tell', signalling to fans, new and old, that they’re in for a treat with a wide range of their discography yet to come for the rest of the night, rather than just celebrating the ‘Cavalier Youth’ album as some might have expected.
Franceschi’s vocals were as powerful and emotive as ever, effortlessly carrying the weight that is expected to come with a farewell tour in the works. As the set progressed, the band once again showed their versatility and ability to captivate an audience. From the soothing acoustic versions of ‘Be Who You Are’ and ‘Stay With Me’ to the head banging ‘Bite My Tongue’, fans really were treated to the band's full scope.
Closing the set with an encore of ‘Underdog’ and ‘Beautiful Way’ really was a fitting end to You Me At Six’s last visit to Middlesbrough. With the new fans they made, their music will no doubt continue to be a staple of childhoods throughout the UK.
I highly recommend catching the guys on their farewell tour next year, as Franceschi announced they’ll be in Newcastle sometime next February. With their high energy, arena worthy performance in Middlesbrough, it’s certainly not one to miss.
Closing the set with an encore of ‘Underdog’ and ‘Beautiful Way’ really was a fitting end to You Me At Six’s last visit to Middlesbrough. With the new fans they made, their music will no doubt continue to be a staple of childhoods throughout the UK.
I highly recommend catching the guys on their farewell tour next year, as Franceschi announced they’ll be in Newcastle sometime next February. With their high energy, arena worthy performance in Middlesbrough, it’s certainly not one to miss.