IT'S Friday night and The Barfly in Camden is packed out in anticipation for London-based outfit Judas. The iconic venue has previously played host to the likes of Blur, Oasis and The Strokes and tonight Judas are the latest band to grace the stage before they go stadium, just like those who have gone before them.
Support comes from the Wolf Alice backed band Vinyl Staircase and Damn Beats, who made an impressive debut at the North London venue but the real thrill of the night comes as Judas take to the stage. Lights lower and and music builds as the four-piece make a grand entrance.
Frontman, John Clancy cuts a bewitching figure and is dressed every inch the rock star head to toe in black. His fellow band members are equally as stylish and geared up for a head-turning set. A few technical issues at the start would be enough to knock some band's confidence but Judas take it in their stride, using it as an opportunity to get the crowd clapping along and cheering with support.
'Call Me' is the first track to be played from last year's four-track EP 'We Are Judas'. Everything about frontman John Clancy makes him seem ready for stages far bigger than that of The Barfly. The fearless force of the band gives way to crowd members dancing with wild, carefree abandon. Tracks such as the blistering 'Sister' sees Clancy's Liverpudlian lilt take centre stage, backed by reverb-laden guitar lines.
The crowd also have a little sway to 'Love Is The Enemy' which sees the promise of a bright future draw even closer within their reach. It's a slower-paced tune that enables Clancy's vocals to fully reach their full potential, draped over captivating instrumentation and giddy guitar hooks on this swooning centrepin.
The energy of the set never lets up for a second and the four-piece choose to end on 'Youth of the Young Age'. It's a glorious conclusion and everyone's dancing and singing their hearts out to the anthem that acts as an effortless example of a band working as an unstoppable unit.
Judas take inspiration from seasoned artists such as U2 and Kings of Leon but rework their influences into something much cooler and appealing. Despite their relatively short existence, they manage to sound stadium-ready and we predict it won't be long before they're tackling the venues they so deserve to claim as their own.
Words Lauren Wade
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