Earnest alt-country emo feels like an aural coming of age at Pinegrove’s sold-out show at Leeds scene mainstay, the Brudenell Social Club.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Pinegrove are a bunch of simple twee folk-rockers with their stripped-down guitars and unassuming press shots, but with records brimming with vulnerable vocals documenting all the bad shit and stupid things you regret, lyrics steeped in hindsight/catharsis, the New Jersey alt-country-meets-emo band really come into their own on a stage.

Returning last year after a short hiatus, which saw them retire to a small country town in New York state to live and record, has not been without catharsis of their own: the band worked to reconcile and move forward from an accusation of sexual co-coercion with frontman Evan Stephens Hall entering into therapy, before seeking approval from the alleged victim to release their third record (which was given).

Latest album ‘Skylight’ was self-released not long after, with all profits from Bandcamp sales going to three charities: the Voting Rights Project, the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, and Musicares.

Opening with ‘Cadmium’ from their 2016 record ‘Cardinal’ instead of what would have been an obvious new track opportunity to wave in front of the crowd, the gig tone was set straight from the off. This band have a following, the dedicated self-monikered ‘Pinenuts’, a bunch of ride or dies that know every lyric, every twang, every right time to wave their (Pinegrove-tattooed) arms in the air and when to echo the words softly, and a nod to their seminal album straight away was the perfect way to engage them.

Souping up an indie sound with frank, open emo lyricism is classic Pinegrove, tonight lifted up by the unmistakable sound of Pedal Steel woven throughout. Highlights from their 20-track set include ‘Rings’ and ‘Portal’ from their latest record, the show peppered math-rock tracks to bare-bones folk, harking back to the sounds of early Death Cab for Cutie, echoing the fragility of youth in ‘Angelina’.

Closing on the optimistic ‘New Friends’, lyrics tell of nurturing relationships you have, moving forward and letting the past go – a fitting end with the feels of bedroom emo-folk rather than the lofty Americana that the ever-present pedal steel twang would have you believe.

Expect fourth album ‘Marigold’ to drop later this year.