Gig Review: SPRINTS at Rough Trade

“Is anyone doing dry January? Absolutely, f*ck no!” A gig filled by Jägermeister, Guinness pints, toe-tapping and head-banging, SPRINTS are definitely a band to remember. Rough Trade Nottingham was the perfect venue for this edgy group who have been described by NME as a ‘striking new band’. Their sound is influenced by nineties  style music and has been called reminiscent of Radiohead and Nirvana. 

Kicking off with Ticking, it was the perfect song to build up the crowd - with its ominous beginning, it packs a punch by the time the chorus hits. 

The band had a funny on stage presence, they didn't take themselves too seriously despite seriously good music. They joked with the crowd saying: “Are you enjoying the album… thank god.” They told the audience that they still think it’s weird and crazy that people would actually want to buy and listen to their music. SPRINTS had fun with both the music and the crowd, poking fun at the timing of their tour, in competition with massive international artists like Taylor Swift.

Adore Adore Adore, a popular tune from the album was met with cheers from the audience as Karla Chubb, lead singer/songwriter began to sing. Next up was Shadow of a Doubt which Chubb called the “most emotional song on the album." Shadow of a Doubt had only been performed live “one and half times” before this show and it’s safe to say this song is definitely made for the stage.

She begins with an incredibly soft voice that we hadn’t heard her use yet at the gig, showing her vocal range and strong ability of the band to be experimental. The song strikes the crowd as different for the first couple of minutes before kicking into that classic SPRINTS sound which was well known and loved by the audience. 

The band’s biggest hit so far, Up and Comer, was everything it should be live: it was loud, it was aggressive, it was energised, it was “right let’s f*cking go Nottingham” in Chubb’s words. It’s no surprise that their album was sold out in stores and their UK tour officially sold out on the day of the gig. 

Before their final song of the night, Literary Mind, Chubb alluded to her background and the difficulties she has faced throughout her life. She ended on a note of positivity appreciating the tour and the opportunity to be standing on that stage singing; this was felt in her performance of Literary Mind, a more upbeat and jolly take on their style. It was heartwarming to see two guys jamming out and clapping along to this while singing every word in a duet style performance - proof of SPRINTS' growing fanbase. 

Before the gig was even over, fans began to queue for the signing. I’d say SPRINTS were pretty good for an up and comer… 

SPRINTS performed at Rough Trade on 9 January 2024