LIVE FROM THE PIT: Hot Mulligan, Delta Sheep and Beauty School

On Saturday night in the heart of Leeds University, at The Revolutionary, HOT MULLIGAN brought their Midwest emo sound to the stage as part of their latest European and UK tour for their newest album, The Sound a Body Makes When It’s Still.

The venue was packed to the rafters and, although the band were slightly late to start their set, it did not affect the quality of the performance for a second. They last played The Key Club in 2013 and appeared at Slam Dunk last year, but this time they returned with a mix of new material and fan favourites to truly kick their UK leg of the tour into overdrive.

Opening the night were local emo favourites BEAUTY SCHOOL. The band have been steadily storming through the Yorkshire circuit, with their big break arriving at the Slam Dunk festival. They were electric from the outset, immediately getting the crowd jumping and proving to be the perfect warm-up act. Their songs tackle tough emotional subjects while maintaining addictive melodies that had the crowd belting out lyrics. A special mention goes to lead vocalist Joe Cabrera, who had the audience fully invested and integrated into the performance. Even those who did not know the lyrics still felt part of the show — a trait that is massively underrated.

Following them were Brighton-based DELTA SHEEP. Their indie rock style blends odd time signatures and unconventional structures, creating a unique sound that captivated the Leeds crowd. Their set began with a more subdued energy compared to the previous act, but their sound still carried weight. By integrating a range of styles, alongside soft vocals and poignant guitar work, they created a strong atmosphere. The venue’s acoustics worked in their favour, allowing their sound to resonate powerfully throughout the room.

When the headline act finally took the stage, they opened with an acoustic introduction to their song before the calm quickly gave way to the storm, as the screams of Nathan “Tades” Sanville kicked in. Within seconds, pits had opened and crowd surfers were flying overhead. The bar had been set immediately — it was simply a matter of maintaining it.

A particularly noteworthy performance came from the drummer Brandon Blakely, who delivered a drum solo that had hearts racing and blood pumping before crescendoing into a venue-shaking headbang as the band launched into It Smells Like Fudge Axe In Here. The floor shook under the weight of the bass and the jumping crowd. Forget blowing the roof off the place — breaking through the floor felt like the direction the night was heading.

They continued with more of their latest material, highlighting the fiercely loyal fanbase in attendance, whose screams at times drowned out the band entirely. And A Big Load was a particular highlight, with the line “choking on your apologies” shouted back in a melodic battle cry as Ryan “Spicy” Malicsi delivered a mind-blowing guitar solo.

The band also leaned into their humour, incorporating album interludes into the set — moments that many listeners often skip. “Always listen to the interludes,” they joked. “If you didn’t skip these you’d know what we were playing and it wouldn’t be awkward for you.” It was a subtle but creative touch that added to the band’s long-running comedic style.

At one point the band asked, “Who is ready for some old crusty songs?”, the crowd responded with deafening screams as they launched into older material, instantly amplifying an already electric set. The transition from newer songs to the tracks that helped launch them into the emo scene felt seamless, showing just how well they understood their audience.

Many fans likely discovered the band through their social media rise during the pandemic, which coincided with the success of their album You’ll Be Fine. With quirky song titles and an instantly recognisable sound, HOT MULLIGAN leave nothing behind when it comes to both their music and their live performances.

The crowd itself split naturally into two groups. At the front were the die-hard moshers — fans who simply could not stand still, every note shaking them to their core. At the back, others stood almost trance-like, lost in the music in a kind of flow state. Two completely different energies, yet somehow perfectly in sync.

The encore brought their two biggest songs. Normally, by this point in the night, energy levels dip — it was difficult to reignite that level of intensity after the music fades and the band walks off stage. But BCKYRD and Equip Sunglasses did exactly that. Fans left buzzing, voices completely gone — exactly how a gig should end.

Front to back, shoulder to shoulder, the crowd was never still. Their energy fuelled the band, and together they created the night they both deserved. It was a Midwest emo party — an emphatic start to the UK leg of the tour and a statement of intent that their chaotic performances and crowd participation will continue to captivate crowds across the country.

A must-see if there is even the slightest chance of getting a ticket.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Nik Bryant