Sports Team endured their usual chaos over Rock City on what was, for many, a not-so-quiet quiet Sunday evening. Olivia Hannant offers her thoughts on their red-hot indie-rock show that returned to Nottingham after almost a year of their absence.
Supported by the apocalyptic and lawless Fatdog, who pride themselves on being a band who do not record any music, only pursuing live performances. They set a fantastically futuristic scene, one that mirrors trying to chase down an ever-moving spirit as audiences attempt to catch their live performances. By producing a performance that certainly rivalled the main act for many and added to their cult following, they were a perfect choice of support.
Off the foot of their second studio album GULP!, drenched in sarcasm, Sports Team returned to Nottingham and did so with unrivalled confidence. After walking in shortly before the support of this sold-out show, I was expecting to be pushed towards the rear of the crowds. However, the entirety of the open space was used, making this a lively and participative experience.
To reduce this show to purely its setlist would be somewhat diminishing, as a selection of singles from their debut album and EPs were performed alongside much of their new material. The band's single M5 off their 2019 EP Keep Walking was a crowd favourite, as the pit opened up and lead man Alex Rice had the entire crowd moving around the floor, conducting chaos. After a short interlude by the band's guitarist Rob Knaggs playing Lander, and one of my favourites off the new album Light Industry, the audience took a minute to spread out and enjoy the slower-tempo songs.
But not for long. We were then thrown back into the jagged guitar chords and vocals of the beloved Fishing as the crowd fizzed with energy chanting the playful lyrics back at Rice. The band closed the set with Here’s The Thing, submerged in sardonic wit and inventive lyricism about current affairs. Crowd surfers were emerging from the depths of the pit, whilst most of the audience were trying not to get kicked in the head. The band had the entirety of the floor crouched down during the bridge, with Rice getting on a level with the audience, bringing a certain earnestness which contrasted with the explosion of the final chorus.
"the pit opened up and lead man Alex Rice had the entire crowd moving around the floor, conducting chaos"
By now we had found ourselves in a rather sweaty stream of people, but held out for one last song as the band closed off the evening with Rice entering the crowd for one last crowd surf. He returned to the stage for one final bow and the rest of the band exited.
Overall, this was an energetic and chaotic performance in which the crowd matched the punchy and ecstatic aura of the band, bringing all demographics together in a celebration of disarray which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Olivia Hannant
Edited by: Jodie Averis
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