Live Review: The Raucous Love Junkies at The Bird

The Love Junkies delivered another trademark high-energy, sweaty, charged set at The Bird on Friday, September 8.

Considering the headlining act, the opening acts were surprisingly docile- though not to anyone’s detriment. New Nausea kicked things off to a steadily-growing crowd with his introspective take on the singer-songwriter genre. This was the second night in almost as many weeks that I caught him at The Bird, and though I can’t quite put my finger on why, but something about his set this time around seemed just that bit more intriguing. His set-closer ‘Mine and Mine Alone’ was a particular stand-out, as was his take on Bob Dylan’s 'You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere'. Props to you, Mr Pritchard.

Next on the roster were Childsaint, a band I’ve loved listening to in the recorded format for a long time that I was eager to see live. They certainty did not disappoint, packing some tight four-piece harmonies, an entrancing stage presence and transcendental instrumentation, despite some gear difficulties. One audience member whispered to me that he “has never heard a band sound like this before,” and I’m inclined to agree. The old cliché that you “have to see a band live to really get it” rings true here, as awesome as they sound in the studio.

Finally The Love Junkies took stage to a frenzied crowd, starting their set with the title track from their latest EP Cough and Splutter. From the get-go the Junkies were hitting hard, and the moshing did not subside all night. Anyone who has seen the band live before can attest to just how raucous their gigs can get. This was another one of those.

The band treated their crowd to tunes from across their vast discography. Penultimate tune ‘Maybelene’ brought about the biggest singalong of the night, with the band even cutting the instrumentals to allow the crowd to shout its unforgettable melody. The band had barely left the stage before obliging calls for an encore, capping the night off in fine style with ‘Black Sheep Blues’.

Many thanks to all the acts on the night, and happy birthday to Chris, the brilliant soundmaster of The Bird!