Jon is lucky enough to pick up Simon's unwanted ticket for this out-of-lockdown postponed homecoming (did-they-ever-go-away) sold-out hotly-anticipated gig by Shame and as it neatly starts a few hours after Bath City try their luck at Dulwich Hamlet early afternoon sees myself and Jon on the convoluted train journey a couple of miles east of Eden aka my home. This is a sell out too with over a 100 waiting in a queue on the off chance of a returned ticket. The main bar is strangely empty and we take our pints downstairs for the match. After 10 minutes I'm smiling and Jon's not and although Bath had their moments to be honest the result was never in doubt given recent runs of form the game ending 3 nil. Having now got in contact with Olly who's turned up at my place being fed gin and crisps by Debbie we wander into Brixton where we have a vegan Jamaican patty, meet Olly, eat more from Eat of Eden, drink gin then meet Cameron for a couple more gins in the pub. After getting past the Electric's Covid and chewing gum police aka bouncers we catch the final strains of the first band who I think are the Umlauts and get drinks in.
Goa Express have a few very energetic fans and you can see why. They serve up an energetic mix of pop and indie rock with that sort of guitary NY post punk Talking Heads sort of a vibe. They are great in parts and go down pretty well but there's a little too much poppiness possibly playing to the charts and that's not what tonight is all about. Fair dues a nice enough gentle intro to the evening. The place is now packed and the anticipation palpable. It's a young crowd and we don't see anyone within a decade of our ages (Cameron excepted) until the end on our way out.
Shame come on to applause and go straight into their raw punk soaked set that creates an immediate mosh pit to which Olly and Cameron are lost whilst I wait for Jon to return from a very badly timed bar run. The numbers run from high energy can't help but jump about all out punk to some slower edgy holding us in suspense before the madness typical south London we play the Windmill vibe. It's great and I get sucked into the mosh where I meet up with Olly again. Then lose him. It's a good natured crowd with a good mix of genders by the looks of things although who knows how they all self-identify. It's also very hot in there. All too soon the band are off and as there's a club night afterwards it's still early. There's the typical faffing about just outside the venue even though we are all together not wanting to leave the warmth you feel being among a large group of humans who have experienced the same magnificent feelings as you just have (are intense music gigs and club nights the new way to attain religious comradeship and rapture?) before the crowd disperses and we hot foot it to the Prince Albert pub for more drinks, chat to strangers and the usual strange goings on in the toilets. Sensibly deciding we've all probably had enough to drink we take our leave from Cameron and Jon, Olly and I wander homewards before deciding that a car would be much better. I think I owe you Olly? A great night out and the afternoon for some of us. Shame were on their A game. It will be the Academy next for sure. And the odd secret Windmill gig hopefully.
For the afternoon experience see here:
For the evening experience see here:
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| Goa Express - I like a drummer at the side |
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| Shame emerging from Lock Down |
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| Shame giving us what we want |
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