The Dunwells - Yeadon Town Hall 28/11/25 Concert Review
- sarah fisher
- Dec 3, 2025
- 4 min read
By Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit
When I arrived at Yeadon Town Hall, it was beautifully decorated for the festive season. Inside the building on the second floor was the theatre, which felt inviting with wooden floors, burgundy red chairs and gold painted stars on the ceiling like the night sky.
It was near enough a home-town show for The Dunwells, as they grew up just down the road in Pudsey (yes that Pudsey) and used to host open mic nights in the neighbouring town of Guiseley, at The Station Pub. The Dunwells usually perform as a two piece, but Friday night was one of those special occasions when the full band gets together. I heard from a band member that they usually try to play together about twice a year. I saw The Dunwells perform as a duo at ‘Moonbeams festival’ in July of this summer, which I really enjoyed. So I was excited to see them perform with the band.
The Dunwells are two brothers, Joe and David Dunwell who started writing and performing as The Dunwells in 2009. Their younger brother Matt opened the show for them, performing under the name SØLØW CHØIR. Matt performed a solo acoustic set but usually plays as a band. It was a nice touch for the youngest Dunwell brother to be opening the show, as it really felt like a family friendly night. Especially with plenty of family members watching on from the audience. There was a wholesome moment when Matt called out to his daughter who was watching with mum from the balcony, starting a little conversation going.
The Dunwells friend of many years Jemma Johnson also performed before The Dunwells took to stage. Jemma played a beautifully moving set on the guitar and keyboard. Jemma moved me to tears (I just about managed to hold them in whilst taking photos) as she sang a song she wrote about anxiety and mental health. I always find Music hits different and touches the soul in a way like no other when it’s performed acoustically.
The Dunwells came on stage and asked “who has been to one of our shows before?” 90% of the audience held up their arms. It felt like a reunion show for friends, family and loyal fans. I felt at home like I was part of the loyal family too, even though I had only seen them play the once before. The band, the venue staff and all the artists had been so warm and welcoming. All the people I spoke to that night from the audience were lovely too.
The show was a good mix of big band hits and moving acoustic numbers. Starting out strong on ‘I could Be a King’ a catchy song that makes you want to sing-a-long, dance and become something powerful. The music flowed like waves, seamlessly going from fun big band anthems into a catchy songs like ‘Short Stories’, through to chilled out numbers like ‘Best Life’ before a gut-wrenching song about loss. I could hear a pin drop whilst the brothers sang ‘I Feel You’.
Jemma Johnson came back out on stage to sing with Joe which was stunning. Their vocals harmonised so well together. Joe and Jemma both sing from the soul with meaning, which fit so well.
As the songs built back up into catchy sing-along anthems, a small group of people politely dancing down the front in the corner started to form. Over the last half of the show the numbers grew in size. The brothers joked about the very polite mosh pit that had formed off to the side. The show was seated, so it brought so much joy to see people getting up and dancing. One of the young audience members who had spent most of the night dancing and singing down the front held up a sign that read “ All Hail King David Dunwell”.
It was such a special night and everyone in the room looked to be truly enjoying the show. Singing along, arms in the air with big smiles on their faces. Music is about bringing people together and tonight felt so special. The Dunwells music is a beautiful mix of storytelling folk and uplifting indie-rock. You really feel the emotions of what they are singing about, whether it’s heart felt and raw or fun-time powerful get-up-and-go party vibes. They are like a big secret that has been hiding under our noses in plain sight the whole time. The Dunwells have made an incredible career for themselves over here in the UK and America, but after seeing the show on Friday, I think their music should be on the radio on a daily basis and selling out stadiums.
If you haven’t seen The Dunwells and you appreciate songwriting, then down your tools and go give them a listen. I highly recommend going to see them live. I enjoyed seeing them as a band the most, but they are so talented that watching them as a duo it’s also such a special show not to be missed.
You can watch The Dunwells perform at The Sun Inn Beverley 10th December, Hullabaloo Shipley 20th December and The Rookery Bar & Venue Otley 27th & 28th December 2025.
Setlist:
I Could Be a King
Short Stories
Best Life
Lean On Me
Tell Me What You Want
Better Days
See you soon (Duo)
We Made Fire In The Pouring Rain (Duo)
I care
Fire Down
I feel You
All Time High
90's Kid
How Will They Remember Us?
Rich
Break My Fall (Duo)
The Lucky Ones
Light Up The Sky
Written word and Photos by Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit
