It was my first gig since the country started enforcing precautionary Coronavirus measures. There was a deep clean after Circa Waves performed their first of the night’s two sets, a strict queue before doors opened, tickets taken by staff in rubber gloves — the works. There was definitely a feeling of enhanced safety, but it just cemented the surreal situation. I did wonder initially whether people would still get into the thick of a mosh pit or awkwardly try and keep to their own space (obviously, when in Leeds…).

It was good to still have a gig to go to — not least because the first of the Circa Waves ‘Sad Happy’ album launch gigs at the Brudenell sold out like hot cakes/Glastonbury. The second didn’t, so grabbing a ticket wasn’t difficult. But actually being at a gig amid all the chaos was a blessing. I knew it then, I know it even more now…

I’d wanted to see these lads play for a few years. And, thankfully, Circa Waves didn’t disappoint. They played a medley of old favourites and new tracks from their freshly-dropped record. ‘Be Your Drug’, ‘Move to San Francisco’, ‘Wasted On You’ and ‘Jacqueline’ were all crowd-pleasers, but it was their OG offerings that sealed it for me. To say I was delighted when ‘Fire That Burns’ — the ultimate Circa Waves hell-raiser, in my book — was rolled out would be an understatement. It’s powerful and emotive and a track I’ve rinsed on Spotify.

Since the Brudenell, and in line with huge changes within the government’s treatment of Coronavirus, Circa Waves have postponed the rest of their tour. Knowing that has made me ultra-grateful that I had the privilege of being in that crowd last Saturday. But, it does come with a sadness, as all upcoming gigs I’ve got booked in the near future are now on hold…