Photo: WENN
Every year Jaegermeister put on a huge tour at dirt cheap ticket prices. Featuring some of the most popular names in alternative music past and present, and with the holiday spirit fully kicked in, the Brixton Academy leg can only result in alcohol fuelled ridiculousness.
Tonight sees the welcome return of the recently reformed Capdown - who claim they're “not really a band anymore”. This makes it extra rewarding for both those on stage and the audience, when tracks like ‘Ska Wars’ and ‘Cousin Cleotis’ are still remembered and performed with total conviction and energy.
Capdown make you scratch your head and wonder why ska punk is so sneered at. The band’s aggression, mixed with horn sections that make most of the academy skank, is something that should be championed for its creativity and never forgotten about.
The Skints are one of the most original bands on the alternative scene. Their reggae on steroids vibe holds the audience’s excitement and matches expectations for a little while at least. Unfortunately, the band can’t match the momentum that the previous act had gained. The Skints are the perfect band for hungover festival mornings, but on a bill sponsored by one of the deadliest drinks on the bar menu, their slow tempo rock and reggae blend fails to keep up with the Sunday night knees up atmosphere.
Resplendent in matching outfits, the comedy punk supergroup Me First & The Gimmie Gimmies end the night with their famed selection of pop goes punk cover songs.
The band are creative genius’ when it comes to their song selection. Performing covers including ‘Jolene’, ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Karma Chameleon’ there’s not a single song on the setlitst that doesn’t have the crowd singing along at the top of their voice, doing their best Parton impressions.
The absence of NOFX icon and the band’s regular bassist Fat Mike is clearly disappointing for a lot people, but at least it meant no fans were booted in the face. The supergroup’s own infamously stupid and semi terrible musicianship has the audience captivated throughout, although the joke does wear thin after a little while.
Eventually, whenever they start chatting away there’s no engagement with the crowd who clearly would rather get drunk and go mental to some more R Kelly covers. Jagermeister prove that nobody can put on a punk rock spectacle and a massive piss up quite like themselves. Tonight feels like it’s Christmas has come just a few days early.
