J Mascis Brings His Elastic Days Solo Tour To Leeds

by | May 14, 2019

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

As the crowds form an orderly queue inside the confined stairwell at Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, it looks to be an eclectic mix of music fans; from the ones who weren’t even born when Dinosaur Jr was tearing it up in the early to mid 90’s, to the ageing group more than familiar with J’s back catalogue, who have been there and got the t-shirt.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

I could feel the anticipation in the air and I was looking forward to seeing the indie rock hero in action again. The last time I saw him live was in 2015 at Brudenell Social on the Tied To A Star tour, where he was his usual charming miserable self with little communication with the audience, letting the music speak for itself.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

First on the bill tonight is Philadelphia singer-songwriter, Rosali Middleman. Whilst I’m not familiar with her work, having J’s seal of approval as an opener was enough for me and I was looking forward to hearing her.

Rosali walks out wearing a long black evening gown, picking up her red Fender electric guitar she quietly introduces herself as she eases into the first song.

Rosali Middleman (Mark Bromham)

As her set continues she runs through her collection of contemplative rock songs that are seeped in heartache and vulnerability, swaying from side to side as she delivers her psychedelic folk rock with sincerity.

The emotion in her voice draws the audience in and everyone seems caught up in their own thoughts as they soak it up, letting the music guide them. In her diminutive voice she says “thanks for having me” and finishes her short but beautiful set.

Rosali Middleman (Mark Bromham)

Most of her set list included tracks from her second solo album, Trouble Anyway, released last year and it’s safe to say she’s gained a few more fans tonight.

As the time gets ever closer, everyone inches forward to secure their positions and rest against the stage. Looking around the venue, it’s certainly filled up in the last ten minutes and there’s barely any room to move around.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

Although I adore the craftsmanship and layered instruments of J Mascis’ albums, there’s a lot to be said for the live stripped back versions. One man and his acoustic, albeit using a vast array of effects which J builds a wall of sound with.

A subdued Mascis walks out wearing his trademark baseball cap and Mishka eyeball t-shirt, picks up his acoustic, says “Hi!” and launches into the classic Thumb, way back from Dinosaur Jr’s Green Mind album, which opens up with the great line “There never really is a good time, there’s always nothing much to say.”

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

It’s a nice surprise to see J standing as opposed to his usual seated position for his solo shows; you definitely get a better view of him in action without having to navigate through the crowd to find a vantage point.

Everything She Said is up next followed by the broken and fragile vocal tones of Listen To Me. Besides his solo material, Mascis also lays into more Dinosaur Jr such as the brilliant Out There which ends with a stomp on his overdrive pedal, J unleashing a solo dripping with technical excellence and fretboard wizardry.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

J is a man of few words, I personally find his limited banter dry and humorous and I also love the fact he doesn’t have an act. To coin a phrase from the movie Singles, “Not having an act, is his act”. His loose and casual demeanour feels like you’re watching a friend jam a few songs at a party.

Elastic Days and new crowd favourite See You At The Movies are up next as he works through his set list. Drifter from Tied To A Star album follows; this is a great instrumental song and a nice little interlude which J cuts loose the shackles of his singing duties and just rocks out.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

With that, he puts his guitar on the stand and leaves the stage without muttering a word. A mere 20 seconds later he returns uttering “Thanks for sticking around”. This raises a wry smile amongst the crowd as he’s not even given people the chance to realise he’d walked off in the first place.

With that he breaks into a rendition of The Cure’s Just Like Heaven which is received to great applause and raptures of singing. He completes the evening with the brilliant Fade Into You by Mazzy Star, after which he walks off for the final time.

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

I get a tap on the shoulder from one fan asking, Did he play Freak Scene?” “No, I said, I think that’s it, he’s done”!

Photography & Live Review by Mark Bromham of J Mascis at Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Leeds on 11th May 2019. Mark has his own great photography website right here: https://howayman.photography .

J Mascis (Mark Bromham)

Remember Monday @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Remember Monday Return With New Single ‘More Than Ever’ Ahead Of Headline UK Tour

Country-pop trio Remember Monday continue their breakout year with the release of their new single More Than Ever, co-written with GRAMMY® winner and chart-topping artist Cian Ducrot. The track arrives just as the band kick off their highly anticipated What The Hell Just Happened? UK and Ireland headline tour, which culminates at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Davina Michelle (Press)

Davina Michelle Launches Empowering New Era With ‘What A Woman’

Dutch pop sensation Davina Michelle has released her brand-new single What A Woman, an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and individuality of women everywhere. The track arrives alongside a striking new music video, introducing a bold new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most successful modern pop artists.

Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Share Video for ‘Ad Astra’ Featuring Graham Coxon

Northern Irish alt-rock stalwarts Ash have shared the video for their latest single Ad Astra, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, taken from their brand-new album of the same name — out now on Fierce Panda Records.

Karin Ann (Press)

Karin Ann Teams Up With Suki Waterhouse For Heart-Stirring New Single ‘i was never yours’

Slovak singer-songwriter Karin Ann has unveiled her stunning new single, i was never yours, marking an evolution in sound and storytelling for the rapidly rising artist. The track — co-written with Suki Waterhouse and Harrison Whitford (Phoebe Bridgers) and produced by Benjamin Lazar Davis (Maya Hawke) — finds Karin blending folk, country, and indie rock into a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic.

Amy Macdonald (Olivia Rose)

Amy Macdonald Shares Empowering New Single ‘I’m Done (Games That You Play)’

Amy Macdonald continues her remarkable run as one of the UK’s most enduring singer-songwriters with the release of her...
Blair Davie (Press)

Blair Davie Unveil Deeply Personal New EP ‘First And Last’

Scottish singer-songwriter Blair Davie has released their highly anticipated new EP, First And Last, via Giant Music —...
Joyce Manor (Dan Monick)

Joyce Manor Announce New Album ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ Alongside Lead Single ‘Well, Whatever It Was’

California punk favourites Joyce Manor have announced details of their upcoming album I Used To Go To This Bar, due for release on 30th January 2026 via Epitaph Records. The band have also shared the lead single Well, Whatever It Was, accompanied by a chaotic and comedic Lance Bangs–directed music video that riffs on The Great British Bake Off, featuring cameos from comedians and musicians playing UK rock icons.

Third Eye Blind @ Islington Assembly Hall (Kalpesh Patel)

Third Eye Blind Bring Chaos, Charm And Catharsis To London’s Islington Assembly Hall

An ominous, synth-driven hum filled the room at Islington Assembly Hall, a restless Thursday night crowd buzzing beneath it. Then — silence. A heartbeat later, the guitars of Thanks A Lot burst to life as Stephen Jenkins strode onto the stage in crisp white trousers and a beanie, his guitar hung low, his every movement theatrical. The room erupted. Without a word, Third Eye Blind were off and running — all muscle, melody and memory.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing