Once again, I find myself travelling to London this time accompanied by RPM main man Dom Daley, roll back to October 2025, and an announcement that I never thought would happen, the legendary Sugar announce their first gigs in 31 years!!! 

When the dates were announced, three New York shows and then two in London, it was a no-brainer that we had to be at a date. Thankfully, tickets were secured, hotel and travel sorted, then the 8-month wait, and it was well worth it, even if it was the hottest day of the year! 

The last time we saw Bob Mould it was in support of his fantastic last solo effort and we were lucky enough to meet the man in a in store signing, the fanboy I am I thought I’d take a chance at bringing along a few more items for Bob to sign and those items were the three classic Sugar albums, I had absolutely no clue that just over a year later we’d be seeing the original reunited band together, what a treat!!!!

So we get to the venue and pick our spot, and shortly after J. Robbins of Jawbox hits the stage with an acoustic guitar and a mic, so a proper stripped-down affair. Fair play to anyone who does a complete solo set and puts their all into it. I wasn’t familiar with his solo work, but I always liked what I’d heard of Jawbox and possibly their most well-known song, ‘Savory’ was great to hear live, and the crowd definitely enjoyed it too. I’ll be revisiting the Jawbox back catalogue for sure, great stuff. 

After a short refreshment break, the anticipation is building and Bob Mould, David Barbe and Malcolm Travis hit the stage and smash instantly the classic opening three songs off the all timer debut album “Copper Blue”, ‘The Act We Act’, ‘A Good Idea’ and ‘Changes’ the hairs at the back of my neck are standing these are songs I have loved for so so long and to finally hear them in their full glory is a emotional moment for myself and the whole audience as the insanely catchy melody’s get under your skin and choruses that the audience scream back to the band!!! 

After that frantic start, we move onto the many moments where David takes over on lead vocals with ‘Company Book’ off the massively underrated third Sugar album “File Under: Easy Listening”, the riffs and melody’s shine through and the band isn’t missing a beat and look to be having the time of their lives up there.

Next up, we get a big section of B-Sides and songs that have only officially been released as live recordings. “After All The Roads Lead to Nowhere” is one of the most frantic moments of the set. Bob Mould has always been known for his unbelievable songwriting, but the noise he makes from his guitar is second to none as well, and he is underrated. “In The Eyes of My Friends”, “Where Diamonds Are Halos” and “Running Out of Time” are all songs not on studio albums, most bands would kill to have songs like these. It just goes to show the strength of the songwriting on display here. 

Sandwiched in between that lot we were treated to in my eyes not only one of the best songs Bob has ever written but one of the greatest songs I have ever heard, of course it is the classic ‘Hoover Dam’ once more again off legendary “Copper Blue” album, hearing it is just one of those euphoric moments that make you glad to be in the here and now, a moment I won’t be forgetting for a long time. 

When you think moments don’t get much better, we are then treated to two classics from “File Under” the monster opening riff off album opener ‘Gift’, the distortion guitar on this is off the scales and then straight into the ridiculously catchy ‘Your Favourite Thing’ two of my highlights of the evening. 

A few songs later, and we get the double helping of two brand new songs. Not only did the band come back with tour dates, but they’ve also been in the studio and recorded a 7” single, House of Dead Memories’ and ‘Long Live Love’, which both fit into the set perfectly. Hopefully, there’s more to come from the studio!! 

As the set progressed, we noticed that the sound was getting louder and the distortion was off the charts. ‘Fortune Teller’, another classic and one of my personal favourites, which I believe they didn’t play on night one in London, so that was a fantastic moment. I said about the loudness, well it didn’t get any louder than the last two songs before the encore, we are finally treated to the frantic 1-2 off of “Beaster” ‘Tilted’ and ‘JC Auto’, Malcom keeps the tempo up and doesn’t miss a beat, the harmonies are massive and once again Bob’s like a maniac on the stage!!!

The band takes a short well earned break, it is like a furnace in the Kentish Town Forum and then come back out to a huge applause we have a few more songs to go and what better way to get it going than the drum fill that starts the classic ‘Helpless’ another massive singalong ensues, then another personal favourite that opens with a monster riff ‘Gee Angel’ honestly it is ridiculous how many brilliant songs Bob Mould has written over the years, from legendary Husker Du tracks to a stellar solo career and to here,  the final song of a unforgettable set possibly my favourite song he has ever written ‘If I Can’t Change Your Mind’ a perfect song of heartbreak and unrequited love that would resonate with almost anyone which never fails to give me goosebumps everytime and to hear it live for the first time was something special indeed!!! 

What a fantastic set and performance, one which I will never forget. If that was to be the one and only time I get to see Sugar, it will be treasured, but fingers crossed, there will be more to come if the reception of the audience is anything to go by. The world is a better place with Sugar in it. 

Long Live Love

Long Live Sugar 

Author: Christian Davies