Upon arrival at The Rigger the first thing we saw as we headed to the front of the stage were the Canadian and British flags, courtesy of The Glass House Museum, which I thought was a really nice touch.
The last time I saw The Glass House Museum I thought they were excellent and tonight only reinforced what they are like live. The three piece from Stoke-on -Trent started their set with ‘Again’, from their latest E.P. ‘Compliance and Lies’. Joe’s easy going attitude transpires when she sings, together with Harry on bass and Jonathan’s crunching guitar sounds they create something that is totally unique with a hint of some old school goth rock in the midst. They finish tonight’s set with ‘Nightmare’ from the first E.P. ‘Aquaphobia’, even though I would like more I cannot wait for what was coming next.
The New Jacobin Club have been around for 20 years, playing mainly Canada this is their first ever visit to the UK and like me there were a few people very eager to see them live.
“Ladies and gentleman we’ve travelled far to be here tonight… we are The New Jacobin Club” The Horde announces and with that ‘The Mark’ powerfully starts, The Horde tearing it up on the guitar and vocals.
Poison Candi behind her theremin looks like a little goth doll that and I just want to bring her home with me and keep forever (I know, I can’t). She joins The Horde on vocals, occasionally taking charge, giving (in her own words) her scary looking friend a break from singing, the chemistry on stage between the two is electrifying and the way they interact with the audience is fantastic. They make room for Mistress Nagini with a huge sword which she balances on her head as she does a bit of belly dancing, Mistress Nagini is a very talented performer and when she wasn’t behind the keyboard she was hammering six inch nails into her nostrils, setting the drum cymbals on fire, breaking a concrete block with a sledge hammer on top of The Horde and the highlight, using an angle grinder on a metal corset, she sure kept the crowd in awe.
The Luminous on the cello remains very mysterious to the end with her headpiece covering her face the whole time, The Ruin on bass and Rat King angrily pounding the drums remain in the background, they may not be as busy as the others but in no way are they forgotten.
With a setlist spreading across their previous albums and their latest release ‘Soldiers of the Mark’ they even manage to squeeze in a couple of covers like ‘Love Like Blood’ or ‘Rum Brave’ but my favourite a Misfits cover of ‘Dig Up Her Bones’ with Mistress Nagini joining in on vocals makes the perfect finish, just as the start was, full of energy and fun leaving us wanting more.
The New Jacobin Club are a band like no other I’ve seen before, as well as great musicians, they top the show with awesome stage theatrics.
Review and photos by Angela Goncalves
Setlist:
The Mark
Dark Servant of Destiny
Like Dogs
Breath Like Wine
Angel
Rum Brave
This Treason
Love Like Blood
Behind the Veil
Return to Eden
Parade of Innocents
Into the Fire
Pendulum Swing
Stigmata
Dig Up Her Bones
The New Jacobin Club are:
The Horde- guitar & vocals
Poison Candi- theremin, percussion & vocals
The Ruin- bass
The Luminous- cello
Mistress Nagini- keys & backing vocals
Rat King- drums
Follow NJC at:
https://www.facebook.com/newjacobinclub
https://twitter.com/NewJacobinClub
https://www.newjacobinclub.com
