More about: Viagra Boys

Rain and concrete. Smokers and foot traffic. DLR and George Tavern and how much? London. Viagra Boys are set to play tonight, and it looks like everyone within a 5 mile radius is heading over to Troxy with bells on as band branded shirts and hoodies get soaked in big smoke drizzle. 

The queue goes all the way round the corner and down the street into what looks like forever. When I finally get to the end I find myself stood behind someone I follow on Instagram who recently did a fake McDonalds advert. He talks comedy and open mics with his friends as the line into the East London venue moves closer and closer to poorly pulled pints and jazz-infused get down. Troxy’s white brickwork turns grey as the rain turns torrential and green marker runs down one section which has the word “ableism,” written on it with a sad face. 

Troxy is acid art deco. A last-minute venue change that’s adapted well as staff see to punters quickly and one of the most powerful lighting rigs I’ve ever seen drapes across the back of the stage. Standing spots secured and seats taken, pounding house music plays as anticipation builds and drinks are downed. There is a rumble amongst the fans that can be heard over the music, and this erupts into screams as lights dim and steady, country-western like guitar welcomes on the band 

“I’ve never seen so many freaks in one building,” screams Sebastian Murphy over warm welcome. They open with one of the bounciest tracks off the new album ‘Ain’t No Thief,’ which gives the audience a chance to acclimatise to those around them and adjust their eyes to the epiphany level brightness of the lighting. With every blast of “I ain’t no thief,” as bass drum pounds, the lights go so bright that even silhouettes are swallowed in it. 

They’re the perfect live behind. A blend of being musically excellent but then not taking themselves seriously whatsoever. It only takes one song before murphy has his jacket and shirt off, tattooed covered belly out to cheers of hysteria. The saxophonist wears tight short shorts and when the band play, they do so with the excitement and enthusiasm of cavemen just discovering sound for the first time. 

“I’ve never seen so many freaks in one building”

The set is added to with Murphy’s introductions to tracks, as he tells the crowd a story throughout about how his parents were disappointed with his attitude towards education. “They always asked me, ‘when you gunna learn how to read, when you gunna learn to write’ god dammit I just wanna take drugs.” He goes on to explain how he was sent to boarding school in Switzerland and that the band are made up of his underpaid teachers who rejected his original idea to sell meth. 

“This is my Geography teacher,” he said leading into ‘Punk Rock Loser,’ a song whose chorus filled every corner of Troxy to the point it will have been heard word for word in the smoking area. “This is my Math teacher,” he said before ‘Baby Criminal,’ one of the bands biggest bangers which was laced with the chaos of free jazz. “This is my English teacher,” he said before ‘Big Boy,’ “he said he was gunna get me into shape, he’s a fucking liar.” 

Viagra Boys have seen a lot of success in recent years, with albums like ‘Welfare Jazz’ and ‘Cave World’ receiving acclaim from both critics and fans. Watching them live, it’s clear this is a band who are only going to go from strength to strength. They’re a band who make excellent music but revel in the process at the same time. It’s a combination that promises longevity, both in terms of quality production and keeping a fan base interested. This show filled with adoring fans, good commentary, psychedelic noise and jazz breakdowns is one of the best live experiences out there. 

Viagra is necessary at these gigs, because enjoying yourself and getting lost in the whole experience is anything but hard. 

See the view from the pit, captured by Rachel Lipsitz:

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Viagra Boys