I felt both pumped and privileged recently about our rendezvous with star power Rough Trade recording artists the Sleaford Mods.
Our collision with these highly touted international artists, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, occurred during that duos “take 7 of 10” event tour covering New Zealand and Australia and held within the confines of history rich and simply amazing Princess Theatre facility downtown Brisbane.
While I had been a personal fan of the Sleaford Mods (music and videos) for a few years prior – it was great to finally see them live and to evaluate for myself just what all the fuss was about. It’s safe to say – after witnessing their set — my fandom for the group has been further accentuated.
The Sleaford Mods, through design or not, are carrying a torch and broadcasting something very refreshing within the music industry. Touted and classified by many/most as punk rock — it is for sure a form of punk rock with both hip hop & industrial overtones — for a new generation.
It is often said — sometimes simple is superior — and that notion is certainly applicable here. With a stage set that is very minimalist; a computer and stand for Andrew and a microphone stand for Jason — surrounding flash strobe lighting and a stack of speakers (= it’s touring equipment logistics resolved simply!) And what the Sleaford Mods pull off while on stage with just and only that really is quite amazing.
Andrew Fearn is masterful as he controls the set utilising studio recorded music. With the hit of a button and then moving into a high animation dance mode mostly in the shadows. Maybe think along the lines of Rammstein’s keyboard player Flake (Christian Lorenz)? – but totally urban and without glitter.
To describe Jason Williamson on stage? I guess the first words out could be unique and strangely mesmerising. His defiant “laize fare” is very pronounced and his stage antics are ripe with sarcasm and absolute humour. There is nothing flashy or star-seeking from Jason and that genuine honesty to his audience is immediately apparent and appreciated.
Jason struts the stage with face grimacing or grinning. Maybe imagine along the lines of a Sex Pistols Johnny Rotten performing a “delicately paced” Mick Jagger type “fashion show chicken walk” on some London or Paris runway? (LOL!)
Within their music, Sleaford Mods have become experts in effectively exposing the underbelly and dark side state of politics, the monarchy and the reality of lower class livelihood within the UK. At home in England they are much revered and/or criticized on that front. While those message specifics or intent may get lost somewhat when they tour and play to an international audience — that’s really no matter — you still get a strong sense of that targeted angst broadcast.
On this tour Sleaford Mods were promoting their newest release UK Grim (on Rough Trade Records) which is about as effective a rock recording we will likely see overall in 2023. Their Brisbane set included a gratifying and lengthly mix of both older and new material tracks which included — UK Grim, Force 10 from Navarone, So Trendy, McFlurry, TCR and Mork N Mindy — which collectedly had the sold out audience dancing and laughing simultaneously throughout this evening’s affair.
Visit Sleaford Mods Official: HERE
Visit Rough Trade Records: HERE
Event review and photo gallery by Bruce Biegler
