‘West Yorkshire is just magic’: Reef frontman Gary Stringer on Holmfirth gig, 90s anthems, and new album news

When 90s British rock titans Reef take to the stage at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth, fans travelling from Leeds and across West Yorkshire can expect a night of pure, unadulterated soul-rock energy.

Frontman Gary Stringer, whose soaring, raspy vocals propelled the Glastonbury outfit to multi-platinum status during the height of the Britpop era, remains as passionate about live performance today as he was when the band formed over three decades ago.

While Reef have headlined massive festivals and played stadiums around the world, Stringer admits there is a unique allure to intimate, historic northern picture houses.

"It’s certainly a draw that the venue is beautiful and in a most gorgeous landscape, but it’s always the people that are the jackpot," Gary says of returning to Holmfirth. "We’ve played here before, and it’s a special gig.

“The area above and below the M62 is just magic."

His affection for the region has only grown stronger through recent solo and collaborative projects, including a stint in Halifax alongside Blur's Alex James. "I played Halifax earlier this year with Alex James’ Britpop Classical and was amazed at West Yorkshire, full stop," he adds.

Looking out from the stage these days, Stringer is increasingly struck by the shifting demographic in the crowd.

Decades on from their debut album Replenish, a Reef show has evolved into a rite of passage for a whole new generation of UK rock fans.

"There’s definitely some parents bringing kids going on, and the other way around," Garry remarks. "With music so easily available through online platforms, it’s perfect for sharing, so I’m not surprised to see a wide age range at the shows."

'Place Your Hands is our gateway drug'

Reef’s rise in the mid-90s was explosive, driven by raw, soulful grooves on early cuts like ‘Naked’ and ‘Good Feeling’.

Last year, the band celebrated the milestone anniversary of Replenish with a dedicated tour, an experience Stringer says brought back "lush visions of the early days."

While those early tracks now feel like muscle memory in rehearsals, it is the band's signature smash - 1996’s chart-topping 'Place Your Hands' - that continues to define the Reef live experience.

Decades after its release, the track remains a cultural fixture across radio, TV, and dancefloors nationwide.

"It’s beautiful," Gary says of hearing an entire venue take over the chorus live. "It’s the gateway drug for our band! Having hit songs helps everyone out, and they don’t come much bigger than 'Place Your Hands'."

Maintaining the vocal stamina required to belt out high-octane anthems night after night is no easy task, but Stringer takes his craft seriously behind the scenes to ensure the energy stays sky-high on stage.

"I always wash, stretch, and warm up for a good couple of hours before a show, and try and keep myself to myself before and after," Gary explains.

"I can’t be talking all day, for sure - but I'm nice, really!"

Crucially, Reef are a band refusing to rely purely on nostalgia.

While their current live dates celebrate an extraordinary back catalogue, Stringer reveals that the group are actively working on their next studio chapter - with the current line-up firing on all cylinders.

"We’ve started writing a new album and it’s feeling great," Stringer confirms. "This line-up is as good as the original in my opinion, so it would be criminal not to record it."

And as for fans in Leeds hoping for a direct headline show on their doorstep in the near future? Garry leaves the door wide open.

"Hope so!" he promises.

Reef perform at the Picturedrome Holmfirth, Market Walk, Holmfirth HD9 7DA, on November 13. Tickets are available now through the official Picturedrome Holmfirth website.