Live review: Spanish Love Songs at The Fleece Bristol. 24th January 2024.

With the recent release of their new album NO JOY, US rock band Spanish Love Songs returned to Bristol to finally play a headline show to a sold out crowd at The Fleece.

I first caught SLS back in early 2020, when they supported The Menzingers at SWX. They were due to return to the UK soon after on a headline tour, and finally they made it back, this time promoting NO JOY, going across the UK and Europe.

Opening the night was Suds, a 4 piece from Norwich, who were along for the ride. Although I’d heard of them, this was my first time checking them out, and I was blown away by their music and style. My personal favourite has to be their opening track A Terrible Thing.

Next up was Heart Attack Man, back to the UK after last being here for 2000Trees. Opening with Leap Year, made semi-viral through TikTok, these boys rocked the stage and got everyone warmed up for the main event of the night. A few dedicated fans were singing all the words back from the audience and kept the energy high.

And then it was on to the main set of the night. Opening with LIFERS, with the dull hum from the synths provided by Merideth, they were right into it, with the crowd fully on board with the new album.

The night was full of a mix of tracks from all eras, with Songs from Brave Faces Everyone holding up just as well as Schmaltz and NO JOY. One of the older favourites of mine is certainly Buffalo Buffalo.

The Boy Considers His Haircut went down well, with people more screaming back the words, in some kind of euphoric therapy session.

There were some people travelling far and wide for the show, with some following shows across the tour and others coming along for just one. But it is safe to say this isn’t my first SLS show, and certainly won’t be my last.

They were open about not doing the walk-off-walk-on thing that bands seem so committed to, instead choosing to blast through their last three songs.

The night ended with the title track to their previous album, Brave Faces Everyone, which had Everyone singing along, and even one person crowd surfing over the barrier.

And that was the end of the big show. It was great to see SLS finally headline a show in Bristol, and they are truly getting the reception they deserve. NO JOY has really hit home well with so many people, and it’s only a matter of time to see what this band have in store for us next.