From support act to headline act in 12 months, The K’s marked their Piece Hall takeover with a riotous homecoming-style celebration.

By Andy Murray

A year ago, they were opening for James at the very same venue. Before that, they’d shared the stage with Blondie. This time, the Earlestown four-piece returned with their name at the top of the bill and wasted absolutely no time showing why.

“This is mad,” frontman Jamie Boyle told BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins backstage. “We found out that night that we were going to headline… It’s mad that it was only a year, but we’re here!”

They were, and they came ready.

Credit: Ellis Robinson

From the opening blast, the sold-out courtyard was in full flight. Mosh pits erupted, pints went airborne and thousands of voices joined Boyle on Icarus, Chancer, Heart On My Sleeve, Landmines, Hometown and Lights Go Down.

There was plenty from their No.1 second album Pretty On The Internet, too. Before I Hit The Floor, Gravestone, The Bends (Here We Go Again), Perfect Haunting and Rat Poison slotting effortlessly into a set built for big rooms and even bigger crowds.

But The K’s know when to ease off the throttle.

Their undeniably catchy indie rock ballad Hoping Maybe provided the night’s goosebump moment, Boyle’s voice carried across the vast courtyard as the crowd took over. For a few minutes, the chaos disappeared and The Piece Hall felt strangely intimate.

And what a setting it is. The beautifully restored architecture makes for one of the most spectacular backdrops on the UK live circuit, somehow making a huge outdoor show feel both monumental and personal.

The whole experience matched it. From arrival to departure, the organisation was seamless, with staff and volunteers friendly, helpful and genuinely welcoming. It’s easy to overlook the people behind the scenes at gigs like this, but The Piece Hall deserves credit for making the entire night feel effortless.

Credit: Ellis Robinson

Then came the final run: Sarajevo, TV and Dacton & Wanderella. One last surge of noise before the lights came up.

It was a special night, in a very special venue and with album number 3 on the horizon, The K’s are only getting started.