The Wildhearts - Islington Academy - 22nd December

After being quite possibly the drunkest band of the nineties, The Wildhearts have gone on to be one of the most consistent bands of the "noughties" (Christ I feel so dirty whenever I say that...) getting straight back on track with the albums "The Wildhearts must be destroyed", "The Wildhearts" and last years spectacular "Chutzpah!". But on this "Xmess tour", tonight is all about the classics, and what classics they are.

Now, before we get any actual reviewing done, it must be noted that The Wildhearts are not cool. Unfairly so. The major exposure they've had this decade was being supported by (and humiliatingly enough, supporting) cock rock clowns The Darkness. But in all seriousness, who gives a flying fuck? Not me, Not Ginger, not anyone in this utterly rammed venue, and fuck me sideways and call me Noddy, we're right. Who's going to get this much pleasure out of nodding along in a detached manner to These New Puritans? Idiots that's who.

Anyway. After rock-etting on stage to Vanilla Radio (hur-hur), the band give a simultaneously relaxed, yet raging performance. This is far from the biggest gig they've played and they know it, they're playing in front of people who know the band, know what they'll get and get it in spades, yet it still feels as fresh as a daisy doused in febreeze. Between songs the frenzied mosh pit calms and Ginger either starts tossing guitar picks into the audience straight from the hapless roadies hand, or telling long, rambling stories like a slightly pissed best mate (It's that or introducing the "Pilled up Pug" from the top of his amp, I say time for a fifth member lads. he's small, furry and powered by two double A batteries) .

A quick break and the band returns with the heavy artillery, "29 x The Pain", iron clad newie "The Jackson Whites", a euphoric "My Baby is a Headfuck" and a rendition of "I Wanna Go Where the People Go" that tears the roof off the building and hurls it into the cold Islington night. A truly astonishing performance from one of British Rocks unsung heroes that leaves a smile on everyone in the rooms face.

Songs of The Night: Sucker Punch - The Jackson Whites - 29 x The Pain