KDS Promotions continue to do a great job of bringing some fantastic bands to Wigan. The gigs are early evening ones too ( mostly) so start around 5pm and all end by 9pm meaning that gettingtrains home is no problem.
Its my first visit to the Boulevard since Covid rules relaxed and straight away its all change in there. The stage is set out properly now, there’s seating at the back but its standing at the front and there seems to be improvement to the Sound system and definitely to the lighting there. All in all more like a gig environment.
Force Fed Lies come on and just motor through 30 minutes of loud snarly punk. They deliver their aggressive set then stop. Its a great opener and no pretentiousness about this lot. Great songs, well played, straightforward and direct to the point.
Last time I saw System of Hate they had just started to pick up speed at Mollys in Birkenhead when some technical problems hit them. They carried on like professionals but I’m glad to be seeing them again as they’d impressed me. It’s a darker slower groove, with something of Joy Division in the sound on occasion. It’s a big sound though, thematically the end of the world is a common lyrical idea and the music has that grandness about it that allows it to deliver without condescension.
The Varukers start with a bang and each song is a mini gem. Seasoned musicians delivering traditional punky sounds and the crowd feeding off their confidence and jumping around happily. It’s a great set, sharply delivered with front person Rat keeping the audience happy and being a true focal point for the band. Great pounding drums, solid a fluid bass, real moments of guitar flair allowed to come through the mix and a singer who keeps the adrenaline flowing.
Words/Photos: Richie Yates
Links
Force Fed Lies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForceFedLies3
System of Hate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/systemofhate
The Varukers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevarukers