“Is that a smile that hangs beneath your nose”, That lyric kept entering my head as Mylo in 2024 seems to grin and smile quite a lot these days. Maybe maturity or finding comfort in one’s space has mellowed the once provocative, angst-ridden frontman. To be fair I used to love it when he’d pour scorn on someone or show his contempt but as we all grow older I’m also loving seeing Milo so damn happy and halfway through the first set he did say with some enthusiasm that he was really enjoying himself and it shone through like a lighthouse. The enthusiasm was infectious and the quality of songs on offer helped, obviously.

Now getting to Bristol from deepest darkest West Wales was not an easy thing to do seeing as half the place was without electricity and it seemed that every tree wanted to block a road and river burst its bank not forgetting that all trains, planes and busses were cancelled. But this was ‘Hup’ and a full rendition as promised by Milo as well as some other chosen cuts from their arsenal. Maybe a while longer than it should have taken us but we did get there unscathed and boy were we glad I made the effort.

The lights dimmed and a packed O2 cheered as the intro tape rolled as the last thirty-five years were peeled away in seconds and the word was indeed out! ’30 Years In The Bathroom’ sounded every bit as vibrant and decadent as it did all those years ago. So a couple of the main protagonists are still cutting it and as the album unfolded in sequence it was an absolute joy to hear especially the songs that don’t get brought out often or the absolute bangers that have been stapled and then banished to the naughty step. ‘Golen Green, an epic ‘Cartoon Boyfriend’ was simply majestic. No wonder Milo was enjoying himself he bloody well should be this band sounds superb.

‘Don’t Let Me Down’ followed by ‘Can’t Shape Up’ had me reminiscing in my head of dozens of shows around the time like it was yesterday and I wasn’t some knackered old(er) man but it was that bass thump of ‘Goodnight Though’ that used to conclude Wonder Stuff Shows this was weird but man I absolutely love that song and the intro on the bass thing. As Milo howled into his megaphone set one was very much concluded and all around were beaming – that boys n girls was fucking ace! Malc just got on with business cutting his shapes on the left of the stage next to Erica who always adds much sparkle to proceedings with her impeccable fiddle skills. and on the other side of the stage, Mark Gemini Thwaite stuck to the six-string and played his part impressively whilst the rhythm section certainly kept the engine stoked with all the power and finesse the songs deserved.

After a brief break and a quick call home to see if our house had taken flight al a Wizzard Of Oz, it was back in for a run through some awesome tunes that were selected for the second half of the set both old classics and more recent but still excellent tunes and a much under-appreciated album being ‘Better Being Lucky’ and its prime cut of ‘Don’t Anyone Dare Give A Damn’ but it kicked off with a couple of groovy machine picks in ‘Red Berry Joy Town’ and a carefree ‘Ruby Horse’. Of course, there were a few ever presents in the shape of ‘On The Ropes’ the amazing ‘Mission Drive’, followed by ‘Caught In My Shadow’ before the ho-down of ‘Size Of A Cow’ preceded ‘Give, Give Give’ as the crowd took over the vocals. The band left the stage for a second time only to return for a much-deserved encore of two which left ‘Ten Trenches Deep’ as the fairwell ringing in my ears for the journey home and the knowledge that The Wonder Stuff 2024 still cut the mustard and delivered a totally thrilling and enjoyable live show.

To be fair that was as good as anyone old or new cutting some shapes on the live circuit. Now can we do this again next year with another South Wales date, pretty please Milo? If there’s no anniversary to celebrate let’s just call it the nothing to celebrate except we’re still here Tour. I’ll have a shirt and a mug thanks. That was as good a show as anything I’ve seen the band do in the last thirty-plus years, I fuckin’ love The Wonder Stuff.

Author: Dom Daley