LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: Junk Season, Jetski, and Beauty School @ Key Club, Leeds
Key Club Leeds is the kind of venue that makes you feel at home from the moment you step in. Small and intimate, it’s the perfect setting to get up close and personal with emerging talent. The staff are welcoming, the central location is ideal, and even the bar prices are a pleasant surprise. It’s a space that fosters a sense of community, which is exactly what a lineup like tonight’s deserved.
Junk Season kicked things off with a set that laid bare raw emotion and energy. Their fusion of melodic nature of pop-punk, the effervescent fizz of bubblegrunge, and EMO’s emotional depth was as heartfelt as it was dynamic, shifting seamlessly between fuzzy guitar-driven anthems and intricate, progressive moments. Tracks were built on life experiences, tackling themes of trauma, anxiety, and self-doubt, with a delivery that felt like a shared confession. There were quieter, more intimate sections that let the sincerity of the lyrics shine, balanced by explosive peaks that brought the audience in closer.
The band’s connection to the crowd was evident, with the frontman, Harrison Kendall, openly sharing the hope that these songs make people feel less alone. This vulnerability paired with their unapologetic passion created a set that felt deeply personal yet universally relatable. Their energy on stage was infectious, and their willingness to leave everything out there made their performance resonate long after the final note. Junk Season may wear their hearts on their sleeves, but it’s this emotional honesty that sets them apart.
Jetski delivered a performance that felt like a love letter to alt music’s many shades, mixing modern influences with their own unique energy. Stunning melodies were at the forefront, laced with hints of indie rock, surfy undertones, ska sensibilities, and gritty, impassioned riffs. Tracks were dynamic, moving effortlessly between playful bursts of energy and more reflective, pensive moments. There was an emotional depth to their sound, echoing the vulnerability of bands like Mom Jeans, Joyce Manor and Modern Baseball, while their charisma and stage presence added an undeniable charm.
It wasn’t just their music that captivated – Jetski’s rapport with the crowd was another highlight. From jokingly ribbing co-headliners Beauty School to reflecting on the camaraderie of touring with peers, their sincerity was disarming. They admitted to a heavy night in Liverpool just hours before but still brought an unwavering passion that didn’t falter. Even their merch, entirely designed and funded by the band, was a testament to their independent ethos and dedication.
Beneath the surface, Jetski’s songs revealed complex chord structures and intricate layers, offering more than just catchy hooks. Their ability to blend accessibility with subtle progressiveness made their set feel fresh, even within familiar indie frameworks. By the end, it was clear they’re not trying to reinvent the genre – they’re carving out a space that’s wholly their own, and the audience was right there with them.
Closing out the night, Beauty School brought a heavier, more chaotic energy that ignited the hometown crowd. From the first note, their presence felt like a sharp jolt of adrenaline, with their blend of melodic alt-rock and screamo delivering thick riffs and pounding rhythms that reverberated through the venue. It was a contrast to the more buoyant tones of earlier sets, offering something weightier and more intense. Where the first bands gently coaxed the audience forward, Beauty School had no such need – the room erupted almost instantly, bodies moving with reckless abandon as a frenzied mosh pit took hold.
Despite lightheartedly recounting a tour plagued by mishaps, the band showed no signs of fatigue, offering a performance that was as tight as it was electrifying. Their stage presence was commanding, balancing heavy drums and churning basslines with melodic hooks that made even their heaviest moments feel accessible. The local crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, a testament to the band’s strong connection to their Leeds fanbase. The energy in the room reached its peak as Beauty School tore through their set with the confidence of seasoned performers, closing the night on a chaotic, cathartic high that left the audience craving more.
Jetski may have been my main draw as they are who we'd been asked to cover, each act brought something special to the Key Club stage, making for a night that celebrated connection, catharsis, and pure, unfiltered passion.
