words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro)photos: Telma Mota
So Young, So Young … The Youth Play take to the stage to enjoy themselves, and that sense of enjoyment comes through in every song.
They walked on stage with an introverted, introspective air, but the mood shifted quickly.
The frenetic cadence of their alternative rock ’n’ roll -characteristic of post-punk bands operating within this sonic register – takes effect almost immediately. This British band further embellishes its sound with flashes of abrasive shoegaze.
Diego Bracho, on vocals and guitar, smiling and self-assured, delivers chords in a tightly sequenced rhythm, supported by vocal lines rich in upper-mid tones and firmly grounded low registers. He combines ethereal, looping vocals with layers of distorted guitar.
He communicates effortlessly with the audience and remains constantly in motion. He did not hesitate to leave the stage and merge with the crowd at Mouco. The desired effect was achieved, as bodies responded in kind.
Harrison Ballard, on lead guitar, makes it scream in sharp, piercing melodies, while Alex Hanrahan on bass blends syncopated rhythms with solid, dependable structures whenever weight is required. Finley Bruce is the band’s driving force. With a dense, low-end drum sound, he imposes exactly what is needed for The Youth Play’s sound to be what it wants to be.
They opened with Castle, May Be This Was All For Us and Wild Flowers, moved through On Fire and After a Moment, and closed with Cowboy, A Fair Life, Sunday and If We Just Ever Were.
A blend of older material alongside newer songs from Someday, Forever, their 2025 album.
After the concert, the band stayed on to spend time more closely with enthusiastic fans in an adjacent space. A genuinely generous gesture from the members of The Youth Play. It is rare to see, but it should happen far more often.
Mondo Bizarre Magazine 