Review: BIG SPECIAL at Stylus, Leeds: An Angsty Triumph of Working-Class Poetry and Punk Soul
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 27
It was part intimate spoken-word confessional, part riotous wrestling match, and entirely unforgettable. Last week at Leeds’ Stylus, Big Special delivered a performance that felt less like a standard gig and more like a revival meeting for the disenchanted. The duo from the Black Country—vocalist Joe Hicklin and drummer Callum Moloney—proved why they are rapidly becoming one of the most vital and visceral live acts in the UK right now.
Walking onstage, Hicklin and Moloney immediately dismantled any pretense of typical rock stardom. What followed was a masterclass in controlled chaos. Hicklin, a frontman with the soulful growl of a preacher and the frantic energy of a boxer, prowled the stage, delivering spoken-word tirades that cut to the bone. Themes of depression, working-class struggle, and existential angst weren’t just sung about; they were lived in real-time . Moloney, meanwhile, provided a thunderous, percussive backbone that shifted effortlessly from industrial pounding to subtle, melodic grooves, grounding Hicklin’s poetic fury.
The setlist was a triumphant romp through their acclaimed discography. Drawing heavily from their top-40 debut album ‘Postindustrial Hometown Blues’ and their sophomore effort ‘National Average’, the duo had the crowd eating out of their hands from the opening bars. Tracks like the brutal, politically charged “Desperate Breakfast” and the gritty “Shithouse” sent a surge of energy through the room, while the raw emotion of “This Here Ain’t Water” showcased Hicklin’s incredible vocal range, reminiscent of soul greats one minute and punk poets the next .
What truly sets a Big Special show apart is their unique brand of crowd interaction. In a moment of pure, hilarious brilliance, Hicklin declared the band the "antithesis to Coldplay." He then urged everyone in the venue to pull out their phones, turn on their torches, and wave them in the air in a sarcastic mockery of stadium-rock light shows. The sea of swaying phone lights, accompanied by the band’s wry grins, was a sight to behold—a knowing, self-deprecating joke that united the room in laughter.
From there, the atmosphere only intensified. There was crowd-surfing, foot-stomping, and a chorus of voices so loud during the anthemic “Mongrel” that Hicklin stepped back from the mic just to soak it all in. It was a genuinely warm, enjoyably good time—a cathartic release that felt particularly resonant here in Leeds.
The energy at Stylus is a testament to a band at a pivotal moment. Big Special are currently in the midst of a extensive UK and Ireland tour, which follows a string of dates across the country this month, including stops in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and a massive show at London’s Roundhouse . But their ambitions stretch far beyond these shores. In April, the duo will head across the Atlantic for a North American tour, supporting Lambrini Girls with dates in Brooklyn, Boston, and even hitting Canada with shows in Montreal and Toronto. It’s a clear sign that their blend of punk, soul, and spoken word is resonating on a global scale.
Formed from a friendship that began when they were just 17, Hicklin and Moloney have spent the last few years honing a sound that defies easy categorisation. They’ve toured with legends like Pixies and Sleaford Mods, but on a night like this at Stylus, they feel like they belong to us. They are the voice of the post-industrial landscape, finding beauty in the bleak and power in the collective.
As we filed out into the Leeds night, still buzzing, one thing was clear: Big Special aren’t just becoming more and more successful; they are building a community. And if their performance at Stylus was anything to go by, that community is going to get a whole lot bigger.
Big Special’s UK tour continues before they head to North America this Spring.
