GIG REVIEW: Less Than Jake + Skinny Lister + The Toasters + Millie Manders & The Shutup, O2 City Hall, Newcastle, Friday, April 1 2022
A blinding night of ska-punk warmed up a freezing Newcastle night packed with over four hours of music from the best in the genre.
However, it was the younger bands in the line-up which won my heart, and openers Millie Manders & The Shutup were the stars of the night for me.
Millie’s a force of nature, with the vocals to back up her charismatic frontwoman performance. The band persevered through a muddy sound at first which thankfully improved quickly.
The pick of the songs? Bitter, Your Story (a brilliant showcase for her voice) and new single Not Ok. Stars of the night!
The Toasters were new to me but not to the crowd. Founded in New York in 1981 by Englishman Robert ‘Bucket’ Hingley, their brand of ska appealed to the disparate elements of the crowd – full marks to a top brass section and unstoppable bass player!
The best songs by far for a newbie like me were Weekend In LA and their finale and anthem, Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down. Wise words.
Next up were Skinny Lister, but a very different version of the band I’m used to seeing. Thom and Mule were missing due to expectant dad/health issues, so Tim Hillsdon of The Hawkmen is the stand-in drummer on this tour. He did an excellent job! Many bands would have cancelled, but SL owned the stage.
Lorna was at her sparkling best (I do miss the rum flagon though), although it was a less shanty-heavy performance than usual, but none the worse for that.
Colours was a change of pace for the set and one of its high points. Add in 38 Minutes and This Is War and it was a cracking support slot. Obviously, things have to be cut when it’s not your show, but I missed Raise A Wreck and John Kanaka.
Headliners Less Than Jake have been pleasing crowds for 30 years with their blend of ska-punk and live anarchy. Fans were not disappointed, as they got a selection of blokes up on stage to dance on the strength of their odd hair.
The band’s three decades were very much a factor during the show, with a suggestion that there should be an ‘over 35s circle pit’.
Probably my track of the night was Gainesville Rock City, second on the menu, and the pace of on-stage banter/songs/balloon battles kept everyone on the go. I’m reckoning on very stiff limbs the next day.
By the encore, everyone who could was dancing to My Very Own Flag and All My Best Friends Are Metalheads.
This 30th-anniversary tour proves that, like LTJ sing, Pop Punk’s Still Not Dead – and with newcomers like Millie and co, its future looks in safe hands.
MANDY WATSON
