Yellow Days at The Bottleneck, Lawrence KS (2026-03-25)

Sometimes a whisper can carry farther than a scream,

That was the especially the case at The Bottleneck in Lawrence when UK singer-songwriter Yellow Days came to town for the first time, for a set supporting the latest full-length, Rock And A Hard Place released in February, via Independent Co.

The evening began with a brief and hushed set from LA -based Rue Jacobs, whose piano stylings blend soul, jazz, and cinematic soundscapes. Jacobs released an album, Lucy’d Dreams (via Schlussel Records 2022) that showcased his drawing from vintage soul and improvisational jazz to create his kind of late-night, laid-back groove- a soundtrack for sipping a crafted cocktail, taking a moment, and not thinking about all the chaos in the world outside.

Jacobs was humble and focused, playing just three songs, thanking the crowd, and finishing his set, but sometimes less is more and he and the crowd seemed satisfied with his audio appetizer, before the main course made their way in for the headlining set.

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Yellow Days is the nom de plume of British singer, songwriter, & producer George van den Broek and he’s not afraid to be influenced by legendary artists like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Sly and the Family Stone (it’s hard to think of better musical idols) and expands those soulful inspirations with his own modern bluesy melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

After a breakout 2016 Harmless Melodies EP, he’s “returned to innocence” as he says talking about the new record, feeling previously a little carried away and describing the songwriting and recording experience “as the first adult album I’ve ever done.”

The set began with the six-member band (which included two guitarists and a trumpeter) emerging from the upstairs dressing room first (including one nattily-dressed, suit-wearing sax player) and once van den Broek appeared, he smiled and asked the crowd to come closer in, politely shaking hands, and even taking a selfie with a happy couple during the show.

Between that crowd interaction and the ‘70s funk-inspired vibe of the night, the intimate show seemed like a late night in a basement hideaway, or an ultra-cool secret performance that those attending would be talking about for the next several weeks following. The band brought a lot of energy as well, dancing along as they played, and encouraging the audience to do the same.

Much of the set leaned on the newer material (of course), including the new album’s two lead singles, “Special Kind of Woman” and “Love Is Getting Complicated” both played early on, but also reached back to his initial 2017 full-length, as well. The set did stay clear of 2024’s sci-fi concept piece, Hotel Heaven, perhaps because that flows better as a complete album, rather than broken up.

Versatile to move from keybord to guitar and back, van den Broek charmed and mesmerized the crowd, even working in an obscure 1969 Originals cover, “Baby, I’m for Real” originally co-written by Marvin Gaye and his first wife Anna (who was also Motown founder’s Barry Gordy’s sister) and was released on Motown’s Soul label.

The set would wind down with “Let Me Down Easy” and “You Didn’t Leave Me” which ends the new album, as well as ended the evening with van den Broek singing, “You didn’t leave,
it must be love.” It felt like a soft-spoken, warm musical hug between audience and artist as Yellow Days said good night, until we hopefully see them again.

ALL REPORTING AND PHOTOS BY BRANDON CLASEN

National / International act coming through the Midwest / Kansas City area? Please email details to johnc@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time to be considered for Show Preview and Show Coverage consideration.