The Last Shadow Puppets in Bristol review

Image: The Last Shadow Puppets

After almost eight years apart and without releasing any music for a few years independently, Miles Kane and Alex Turner returned to their The Last Shadow Puppets side project earlier this year.

The new album, Everything You’ve Come To Expect has become an instant hit, repeating the success of their swaggering 2008 debut, Age Of The Understatement.

On this occasion a sun-drenched Bristol harbour side was the perfect setting to showcase their new catalogue. A dramatic opener of ‘Sweet Dreams TN’ suited the backdrop rather well and set the tone for the evening with Miles and Alex rallying at full throttle.

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Every song was perfectly executed with many sounding even better than the recorded versions. Especially ‘In My Room’, the last song before their first stage exit. Both the pair were possessed throughout, trading solos simultaneously.

The highlight of the night, ‘Bad Habits’ sent the crowd into a frenzy, as they attempted to echo Miles’ impassioned deliverance back to him. Although the music was electrifying, when seeing The Last Shadow Puppets you don’t just come for the music, you expect something more from two of the country’s finest live performers.

Well, they certainly didn’t disappoint (as if they ever do). Miles, as fierce as ever, screamed the words at the mic in anger when performing ‘Bad Habits’'; he almost had to be calmed down by his Sheffield turned LA counterpart at one point.

Turner however, held a more relaxed swagger, strolling onto the stage with a jacket slung over his shoulders. Throughout the night,he smugly serenaded the crowd with the words “Hello Bristol Baby”, and conducted the orchestra to the grand finale of ‘The Meeting Place’ whilst blowing kisses to the violinists and crowd.

The bands support act Gaz Coombes cannot go without mention, whose climatic performance of ‘Buffalo’ kicked off the night and lifted the audience.

The whole evening was faultless and after 8 years apart it was great to see Miles and Alex prove that they are still firmly at their best.

The Last Shadow Puppets play at T in the Park taking place from Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July - Find T in The Park tickets

Like this? Read our review of The Last Shadow Puppets Everything You've Come To Expect