SLF + Ruts DC O2 Academy Bristol Live Music Review

Posted on: 2018-03-10

Our rating:

The obligatory annual pilgrimage to SLF begins at The Hatchet pub across the road from the O2 venue. Drawing old and new punks from near and far, catching up with other die-hard fans who have followed this band from the 70's.


This time there is anticipation for the support act Ruts DC, who are iconic in their own right from that golden era. It's an early start, so pints are swiftly consumed and off to the venue we go. Shortly after arriving, the support act 'Ruts DC' enter the stage looking like 30's gangsters in pinstripe suits and trilby hats that has now become their trademark over the last 30 years.  Their hits come thick and fast, including 'In a Rut', 'Babylons Burning' and 'Staring at the Rude Boys', which tells a story of the different genres enjoying their music tonight.  The highlight of the set has to be 'Ja War', and like SLF and The Clash, they are one of the few bands from this era that can master the Jamaican reggae sound.  Its fair to say that the Ruts could have been headlining tonight with such a polished performance, but they graciously give up the stage to SLF. 

Ruts | 365 Bristol | Review
As the lights go down its 'de ja vous' as the instrumental 'Go For It' sounds. The crowd start to shout along with the 'la la's' then it's "Good Evening Bristol", and with a "1,2,3,4," they are underway! In the numerous times I've watched this band, I've never heard them start the set with 'Wait and See' from their second album. It's a strange choice, but it seems to work well. This is followed by the album title track 'Nobodys Heros' before Jake Burns makes his introductions to the crowd.  This time around they seem to have nailed the sound and melodies, and in my opinion were 'cooking on gas mark 9'!
Stiff Little Fingers | 365 Bristol | Review
This band who have always had a somewhat political voice, have managed to keep it topical with a new number 'Tilting at Windmills'. This tour Jake is intent and adamant that some of the song choices should be 'his' favourites, including the more obscure, 'Get a Life' and the brilliant B side, 'Safe as Houses'. Padded around these song choices are the more classic tracks such as, 'Got to Get Away', 'Just Fade Away' and 'At The Edge' and then on to firm favourites 'Suspect Device' and 'Wasted Life' that take the die-hard fans back to their youth. As Jake says "goodnight Bristol" there is no way the crowd will let them end, and cheer loudly for an encore. Steve Grantly(drummer) hits the snare drum the crowd go wild as they know its the start of 'Johny Was'. This is an emotional number penned by Bob Marley and adapted by SLF to fit the bygone days of senseless killing in Belfast.  To rapturous applause, Jake rings out the unmistakable intro to simply the best Fingers track ever written; the one and only 'Alternative Ulster' which takes us to the end of the show. 
 
 
This has been a well-worked set, thoughtfully put together to keep both diehards and newcomers happy.  This is a hard-working band that never tire of touring, and they still deliver their unmistakable sound to sold out venues. See you again next year SLF.    


Article by:

Andrea Martin

Andrea was born and raised in Bristol but moved to Weston-super-Mare as a teenager, around the same time the punk scene hit Britain and was right in the thick of it. Embracing the music and bands of that time, she has been a regular at most of the Bristol gigs ever since. Music, especially live, is in her veins and after performing in bands of her own over the years she continues to sing in a local choir. “Music has and always will be a massive part of my life, and I will be a party girl ‘til the day I die.”