The Shipbuilders at Leaf, Liverpool 18.07.2025

The Shipbuilders, currently Liverpool’s best band in my opinion, have released their second album. “This Blue Earth” came out on the 11th July and a week later the band threw a launch part in Leaf on Bold Street, Liverpool. Last time I shot them was in a brewery so it was nice to be back in front of a stage. They brought some friends along too.

Manchester’s The Ventrelles opened proceedings. Nice and jangly, tight too – The Ventrelles set the tone for the evening. I.e. an independent band that sounds great. They also brought some fans with them down the M62 to get the atmosphere up straight away.

Next up were Holy Gloam, a Liverpool band via Wales. Welsh frontman Jools has an easy charisma that is evident in their music; charming and relaxing, along with the talent. Holy Gloam are good.

A change of pace for the third and final support act. Roy, Liverpool’s premier poet-not-a-poet, delivered 3 slices of his unique material. Roy’s work is authentic, relatable, and as a native scouser, incredibly funny. It’s brave of The Shipbuilders to platform a poet as their main support but it paid off; Roy was really well received and I’m glad I caught his performance.

The main event. The Shipbuilders were straight into a riproaring set. Some of their songs off this LP have been live staples for a while, like the uproarious Daydreaming, so the crowd were on board straight away.

There was also an important intermission. Karen, a fellow scouser, was part of a recent flotilla that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza. Karen told us about being detained at the border and read a poem. It was a touching highlight of an excellent night.

The Shipbuilders are boss – go ed lads.