Well, what’s the old saying “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”. For this reviewer that’s certainly been the case as due to the pandemic it’s been 18 months without live music and to say I’ve missed it would be a huge understatement.

So what better way to get back in the saddle than a live concert by the mighty Wildhearts.

The lads come on stage to a huge applause and BOOM it’s the sound I’ve been missing for so long, Ritch’s room shaking drums, Danny’s thunderous bass and the sonic assault of guitars that only Ginger and CJ can muster.

The band start as they mean to go on with a stunning rendition of ‘Diagnosis’ that has the band and audience coming together beautifully, all of us singing “you are not your diagnosis” as one.

Up next we have “Vanilla radio” followed by “Sick of drugs” and what a glorious racket we are being treated to.

Today is also a great day as The Wildhearts cracking new album ’21st-century love songs’ has been released and we get a rip-roaring version of new song ‘Remember These Days’ which if that isn’t special enough the guys manage to squeeze in an old favourite in the shape of the epic ‘splattermania’ in the middle breakdown before returning to finish the above-mentioned song, breathtaking.

It is physically impossible not to jump around to ‘Caffeine Bomb’ and then there is no rest as then the band launch into ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’ at breakneck speed.  ‘Dislocated’ was up next off ‘Renaissance Men’ which finds Ginger in great voice to be fair. Next the band aired another track off the new album in the shape of ‘Splitter’ and wow, what a riff! I knew it was going to be loud, brash and in your face punk’n roll.  But this takes no prisoners, what a gem of a song this is going to be and a live favourite.

‘Let ‘Em Go’ is dedicated to people we can all let go of in our lives a sentiment not lost on people I’m sure and ‘Mazel Tov Cocktail’ they’re both numbers with huge choruses and are sung along to by tonight’s enthusiastic audience.

Old fan favourite ‘Caprice’ is next and sounds huge with its colossal riffs echoing around the Tramshed which is turning into a bit of a theme tonight the band keep rolling out those big riff guns. Is it really that time? The band walk off the stage before returning for the encore as ‘Inglorious’ with its many twists and turns is ushered in.

Time for a ‘Suckerpunch’ which has the audience again going for it before sadly it’s time for the swan song of the night, the classic ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’ brings this splendid evening to a close.

As a first concert back I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from such a great band. It was truly a magical night of loud music and great entertainment. All that is left to say is do yourselves a favour go and see the beast that is The Wildhearts live.

If the last 18 months has taught us anything it’s that you never know what is around the corner so please support live music.

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper