A band that’s been put on my radar lately is Defender (despite them having played last year’s Noise in the Valley festival), who were fortunately playing at The Grayston Unity in Halifax* this October. The small but atmospheric underground venue within a bar — the sort with steamy windows when it’s cold outside and the pints are flowing indoors — is akin to a Royal Park Cellars or Hyde Park Book Club, for those who know the Leeds scene. And it pulls in some mega names. The one I had my sights on: four-piece Defender.

Jaunty guitar riffs, harmonised dual mic roles, rumbling bass and thumping drums that get your feet tapping in seconds? Oh, and an Only Fools and Horses walk-on theme? Defender had all the right ingredients for a killer show. And a sign of a bloody good one is always when it goes too fast — 30 minutes whizzed by in the blink of an eye (and a bop of the head). Their Britpop-tinged indie rock came packaged up with satirical, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, navigating all kinds of themes from modern culture. Even Posh Spice and Kerry Katona got name-dropped. 

As their set went on — punctuated by a backdrop adorned with almost festive neon fairy lights — I realised they were for fans of bands like The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand, with the sort of spoken vocals you get from a Yard Act or angsty punk outfit. Definitely a sound that’s having a resurgence — and one that the crowd was only too happy to lose themselves in on the night.

I could completely understand why ‘Teacup’, their opener, was so hotly tipped as a favourite — the lyrics were impeccably fashioned from a combined effort of cynicism and dry wit. I got a similar feeling from their closing track, ‘Parmo’, as well — a tune that underpins an entire EP of theirs, and the cheesy (pun very much intended) artwork to match. 

If you haven’t had the chance to catch Defender yet, keep an eye on their socials for more gig announcements and get yourself there. 

*With thanks to The Grayston Unity for the press and photo access.

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