Relighting the punk flames within the floorboards tonight, Stiff Little Fingers gave us the proper craic in all things guest-appearances and guitars. Please welcome to the stage…
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
The stage setup is refreshingly simple, with a minimal backdrop and drapes on the amps, underscoring the fact that you don’t need pyrotechnics when the music is this good. And it’s gooood. It’s a sonic assault that’s both punishing and rewarding, proving that even after decades, they still deliver full value for money.
The air is thick with anticipation as the crowd eagerly awaits Stiff Little Fingers to hit the stage; however, before the band can take their mark, we are treated to a rather unexpected, yet thoroughly fitting, soundtrack of James Bond theme tunes. From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die… the evening is slowly building up to the surety of a cinematic climax, a tension that only gets stronger as the clock ticks on…
As the opening chords of Go For It blast through the speakers, the crowd comes alive with the familiar chants. This is the sound of Stiff Little Fingers, and it’s a welcome opening ritual for anyone who’s seen them before. A call to arms, if you will. The moment the band hits the stage, they dive straight into Roots Radicals Rockers & Reggae delivering a visceral, razor-sharp performance of blended punk and reggae beauty. Although a cover, it’s a brutal reminder of the band’s origins, questioning the very essence of conflict and war, and why anyone would fight for a cause that’s never really theirs to begin with. The crowd responds with a collective cheer, particularly when the chantable refrain “Comfort the afflicted, keep them from harm” echoes around the room. It’s pure SLF, stripped back, and raw.
“I look around the audience and I see so many old f**kers like us – was anyone here born after 1977?!”
At The Edge ramps up the intensity, keeping the breakneck pace going. Leading this punk charge is the legendary Jake Burns, frontman and founding member. Dressed in his signature red and black cowboy shirt, Burns is as animated and engaged as ever; his powerful, distinctive voice is the cornerstone of SLF’s sound, yet it’s easy to forget how skilled he is with a guitar in his hands. With the setlist a mix of live favourites and hidden gems – and a few unrecorded tracks making the cut! – he’s flanked by two of the band’s rock-solid pillars: Ali McMordie and Ian McCallum on guitars. They’re essential on the debuts of Won’t Be Told and Mary’s Boy Child. “If this goes to s**t, I don’t know what to tell you.” There’s a palpable sense of energy in the room, and SLF have the uncanny ability to keep the crowd on their toes, whether they’re belting out crowd-pleasers or exploring more obscure album tracks.
Burns does highlight the importance of mental health for men aged fifty and over, having had first-hand experience himself, and urges them to speak with someone rather than bottle it up. This aptly transitions in My Dark Places, and you get this sense of despondency reflected beautifully in the lyrics.
“It’s nice to be back here again and it’s nice to be welcomed!”
Perhaps the most spine-tingling moment of the night comes when the opening riff to Suspect Device rings out. For many, hearing this iconic track for the first time was a revelation, and tonight it remains just as powerful. It’s the ultimate punk statement – a venomous, two-fingered salute to authority that still feels as relevant and biting as ever. The night ends with Alternative Ulster, SLF’s punk manifesto. The opening chords are instantly recognizable, and as the song builds, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of its impact. This is the anthem of a generation, and it feels just as powerful today as it did in the late ’70s.
They may not be as young as they once were, but Stiff Little Fingers are undoubtedly as relevant as ever; chronicling the struggles of a tumultuous period in history, their music serves as both a warning and a call to action. For the younger crowd – many of whom weren’t even born when Stiff Little Fingers first started – the band’s punk ethos and raw energy provide a crucial reminder that we can never take our eye off the ball. As the world continues to grapple with issues of inequality, prejudice, and austerity, Stiff Little Fingers’ message remains as vital as ever. With a catalogue of songs that remain timeless and as politically charged as ever, they’ve created a legacy that rivals anything produced by their peers.
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS PERFORMED WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. Thanks for the craic Stiff Little Fingers!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like Stiff Little Fingers are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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