So is this what it’s like, having a reason to go outside?
The very first night of Michal Cera Palin‘s 2024 UK/EU tour kicked things off with a bang. Organised by Let’s Stop Hanging Out, the live promotion arm of Beth Shalom Records, the mixed bill warmed the soggy Febuary revellers who had come to Hackney’s Oslo. The UK section of the tour featured different supports every night, providing a showcase of the variety of the UK’s punk underground. The following London show featured itoldyouiwouldeatyou, Lakes, and Suds (replacing Redwood), and other dates across the UK featured I Feel Fine, Vienna, The Losing Score, Student Slasher Film, Pillow Fort, algae bloom, and more – and the EU dates will have much the same variety. Here’s some small but detailed coverage of each band on the tour’s first night.
Buds.
Heavy music often falls over itself in its effort to convey impact through gnarliness. Like a stampeding rhino wearing bedazzled slippers, Buds. go the other way. They work with dependable punk riffs, accessible tones, and ideas that aren’t overtly heavy, then perform them with gusto. It’s the kind of strategy a label exec should kick themselves for not being able to execute via off-the-shelf prodigies. Buds. started the show with positivity, garnering a warm crowd response for their bouncy personas. They asked the room to split for a heavier one; it was too soon in the night, creating an atmosphere later described as a “school disco“. The crowd had un-horeshoed by the bridge, thanks to the ‘soft power’ crowd control you can only get when the other bands are in the pit themselves. Although they might be a little tired of their most streamed song, “Building Blocks” made it onto the setlist for a final surprise.
Death Goals
Having covered live Death Goals slots before, it can only be a pleasure to see them again. In the words of Delaire The Liar, Death Goals are “a dumb band, in a really positive, affirming way“. Another touching tribute came from Michael Cera Palin who might have been playing favourites – Elliott Brabant jumped on stage for a sick vocal feature, and later changed the classic Touché Amoré lyric in “Boots N Cats” to Death Goals. They played a tight setlist showing off best of their two records, encouraged mic grabs and sensible carnage from the pit, and spent tuning breaks speaking about their queercore mission and self improvement. Right now, they’re visiting Europe on the invitation of Eyes, looking forwards to supporting Knives for several dates, plus their own headline show at the Black Heart in aid of Mermaids UK – and that’s just the first half of this year.
Delaire The Liar
We were about to hear from one of the key ‘whatever‘-wave emo revival bands, so it was a masterstroke to book another heartthrobbing band of a different variety. Delaire The Liar could be summed up as “My Coheed Romance” – their songs brim with drama, throwing you back to sharing earbuds in the schoolyard, and asking to be used for emotional AMVs. Much of this is down to Fin Colley‘s pitch-perfect vocals and the spirited backing from bass captain Em Lodge (or lead vocals on “angel number.“). They made plenty of movement on the stage themselves, so didn’t need to beg the audience for it. I’m really hoping they keep cultivating their current style and build their fanbase further.
Michael Cera Palin
A tour across the pond will have been a distant dream when Michael Cera Palin dropped their celebrated EPs over five years ago. Reformed and informed with more life experience, their new incarnation promises to provide the same sad-happy, happy-sad twinkle rock they’ve remained relevant for. The years away from the stage have not dampened their ecstatic live presence. Three newer tracks were absolute bops, but we’ll have to wait for release to see a furious crowd response. These new songs were apparently post-breakup and self improvement songs, as well as rhythm section masterclasses. The audience erupted for the classics like “Laughing Makes It Worse” and “If It Makes You Happy“. Guitarist Brabant was happy to screw up a few tapping lines or pedal taps for a jolly time – and that’s healthy. What was ultra nice was how they respected each support band, not just at this show, but all the bands on the tour. They noted the specialness of the UK scene, and encouraged seople to get to shows to keep it going, especially when it’s tough for so many reasons.
For more genre-fluid events showcasing the best of the DIY music scene in the UK and beyond, follow Let’s Stop Hanging Out / Beth Shalom Records, as well as our coverage here at Boolin Tunes.