The infamous singer-songwriter held the audience at the O2 Academy Sheffield in the palm of his hands with his life-affirming indie rock.
After Jamie Treays, AKA Jamie T, made his triumphant return to live music at Glastonbury in June after a five-year hiatus, fans across the country were waiting with bated breath for a UK tour to be announced.
Closing his legendary set to a packed John Peel tent he thanked his audience by saying that "he couldn’t give a f*ck” if anyone comes to see him any more. “I’d play to an empty room,” he said. “I don’t care.”
This won't be happening anytime soon though, as the 36-year-old's UK tour showcasing his new album The Theory of Whatever sold out in mere minutes.
We were lucky enough to attend his gig at the O2 Academy in Sheffield which saw the snaggle-toothed guitarist transport his audience back to the noughties with a night of mayhem and bedlam.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Entrance to the O2 Academy in Sheffield was stress-free and efficient, we had our tickets checked in no time, drinks served within minutes and we felt in safe hands throughout.
Taking to the stage dressed in a navy oversized denim jacket, matching jeans and a black baseball cap, Jamie T had the crowd roaring from the moment a single chord was heard from his acoustic guitar.
Openers '90s Cars' and 'Old Style Raiders' are both tracks from his new album and were met with elated cheers, the crowd trying their best to keep up with his fast paced, rap-style singing which is undeniably recognised as his trademark sound.
'So Lonely Was the Ballad' takes us promptly back to the mid-noughties and reminds us of the time when T's speak-singing, half-rap, idiosyncratic beat had us all glued to our portable CD players.
A two-song acoustic interlude is punctuated with a dimming of the lights and a band member perching on a stool with a ukulele, the crowd were given a time to breathe and take in the pure brilliance of Jamie and his talented band.
Image: Jamie T
"This is our last song," T tells the crowd before launching into an electric version of 'If You Got The Money', and from here on out it's a sea of air-punching, flailing limbs across the floor.
Jamie and his band walk off stage, the crowd is pulsating with anticipation to finally rock out to arguably his three biggest tracks.
The intro to 'Sheila' draws the biggest roar of the night, with the opening lyrics 'Sheila goes out with her mate Stella' sung unanimously in perfect synchronisation across the 2,300 capacity of the O2.
Next up the moment we've all been waiting for, 'Sticks n Stones' causes an eruption of excitement with the floor pounding thanks to a rhythmic thundering of feet.
Image: Chuff Media
To finish an incredible night, the melodic opening of 'Zombie' had us eagerly anticipating the artist's most iconic chorus. Jamie teased us with a "wait for it..." and then after allowing a monumental mosh pit to form in the centre of the floor, shocked us with an electric closing performance of the iconic track.
Two thousand people left sweaty, smiling and singing along to Jamie T's iconic repertoire of anthems. The way he commanded his audience after a notable time out of the spotlight was truly impressive and marks his position as a legend of British indie music.
The singer-songwriter is continuing his tour across the UK which ends in Portsmouth on 22 November 2022. If you didn't manage to grab tickets to this tour, next summer the Londoner will play his biggest headline show to date at the 45,000 capacity Finsbury Park.
Thank you to Chuff Media for inviting us to this event.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Clementine Hall -
16th November 2022 
