Leeds post-punk four-piece ¡Forward, Russia! play the Brudenell Social Club for its centenary, with a 20th-anniversary reissue of their debut arriving.
¡Forward, Russia! are playing two nights at Brudenell Social Club on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 February 2027, with doors opening at 19:30. It's a homecoming of sorts for a band that started right here in Leeds.
They formed in 2004, just as the independent label Dance To The Radio was taking off, and became one of the cornerstones of the city's mid-2000s DIY scene. Frontman Tom Woodhead, formerly of Black Helicopters, teamed up with Rob Canning, also a Black Helicopters alumnus, and siblings Katie Nicholls and Whiskas to build a sound that was angst-ridden and post-punk in its bones. It was known for a few distinct things: song titles given as numbers, chaotic live shows, and driving rhythms that kept everything moving.
Their debut album, Give Me a Wall, came out in 2006 and brought them Top 40 singles in 'Nine' and 'Twelve'. The fan favourite from that record is 'Don't Be A Doctor', a sprawling 7:23-minute track written on the road. They followed it up with Life Processes in 2008 before going on an extended hiatus, returning for the Brudenell's centenary in 2013 and headlining Live at Leeds in 2014.
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These shows coincide with a 20th-anniversary reissue of Give Me a Wall, which comes with new liner notes by BBC 6 Music presenter Steve Lamacq. Tickets are £26.70, and doors open at 19:30 on both nights.
