Sleaford Mods celebrate the release of their latest album UK GRIM with a hometown show...
Sleaford Mods’ latest album, UK GRIM, is a reassertion of their intent, as the pair distil their work down to its core principles - creating a beautiful rage against all the wrongs that they see in the British Isles.
Considering this return to basics for the Mods, it makes sense that they return to the city where it all began for them. Although I have no doubt that they would love the chance to play The Chameleon - the tiny venue in which DJ Andrew Fearn and lyricist Jason Williamson came together, which now bears a mural of both of their faces - it would be simply impossible to fit their legions of followers inside.
Instead, a five-minute walk up to Rock City was the alternative option, and despite its much larger capacity, it was still full to the brim, and bubbling with anticipation for the first show in promotion of the local heroes’ twelfth album.
Greeted by an inevitable rapturous welcome when they did make it onto the stage, the duo took no time in announcing what they were going to be all about, as Williamson angrily spat his way through the new album’s title track. Although the single had only been out for a couple of weeks, the whole crowd could wilfully recite the shout-a-long chorus “This is, UK grim, put it in the bin!”
Following this was On The Ground, a personal highlight from the new album, which allowed the audience to open the mosh-pits which they were obviously craving. This instinct for movement was only emboldened as the pair launched into Giddy On The Ciggies, a fan favourite from their 2015 album, Key Markets.
One of the greatest novelties of seeing Sleaford Mods in person is the contrast between Fearn and Williamson’s respective demeanours. As the creator of the beats, Fearn’s job is largely done by the time the Mods make it to a live setting, and he knows how to celebrate this, dancing with a beer in-between pressing play on whichever song the pair have decided to delight the audience with.
Williamson, on the other hand, comes across as a man possessed while on stage, having seemingly involuntary twitches whilst simultaneously spouting out the relentless tirades that characterise his lyrical styles. It’s a juxtaposition that works extremely well, especially in some of the most aggressive tracks in the setlist, such as Fizzy, and I Don’t Rate You.
Progressing through the show, it was notable that some of the tracks from the newest album were also the most well-received. In particular, Force 10 From Naverone, a song memorable for featuring Dry Cleaning frontwoman Florence Shaw, and DIwhy, a characteristically fiery lament at musical purists who Williamson has got into online spats with previously, were favourites among the 2000 people packed into Rock City.
Following this was On The Ground, a personal highlight from the new album, which allowed the audience to open the mosh-pits which they were obviously craving. This instinct for movement was only emboldened as the pair launched into Giddy On The Ciggies, a fan favourite from their 2015 album, Key Markets.
One of the greatest novelties of seeing Sleaford Mods in person is the contrast between Fearn and Williamson’s respective demeanours. As the creator of the beats, Fearn’s job is largely done by the time the Mods make it to a live setting, and he knows how to celebrate this, dancing with a beer in-between pressing play on whichever song the pair have decided to delight the audience with.
Williamson, on the other hand, comes across as a man possessed while on stage, having seemingly involuntary twitches whilst simultaneously spouting out the relentless tirades that characterise his lyrical styles. It’s a juxtaposition that works extremely well, especially in some of the most aggressive tracks in the setlist, such as Fizzy, and I Don’t Rate You.
Progressing through the show, it was notable that some of the tracks from the newest album were also the most well-received. In particular, Force 10 From Naverone, a song memorable for featuring Dry Cleaning frontwoman Florence Shaw, and DIwhy, a characteristically fiery lament at musical purists who Williamson has got into online spats with previously, were favourites among the 2000 people packed into Rock City.
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