Killing Joke – Live Review
When tickets went on sale for Killing Joke at the Wedgewood Rooms, needless to say, it sold out in a matter of seconds. After all, this was a hotly anticipated and intimate warm-up show, ahead of a more high-profile Royal Albert Hall shindig.
Killing Joke are without a doubt innovators of their art, responsible for influencing countless musicians with their post-punk industrialism. The first 2 releases alone deemed their uttermost classics.
As with the band’s upcoming London show, tonight would see them both (the self-titled debut and its 1980 follow-up “What’s This For?…”) played out in full.
In any other context, playing the likes of “Requiem” and “Wardance” straight from the get-go would put a gig in danger of peaking too early – but not Killing Joke.
Even when Youth’s new monster of a bass rig nearly gave up on its first outing, (ironically during “Complications“), it didn’t take long for the guys to be back up and running.
What’s this for?
Killing Joke – Wedgewood Rooms
Frontman Jaz Coleman returned unperturbed, ready to command the stage like a possessed Frankenstein. While the rest of the group, along with current touring keyboardist Roi Robertson, casually went about their business.
The 2nd half of the set was to pulsate through the likes of “Follow Your Leaders“, with Jaz then conducting each section of “Madness” as though it was one of his lesser-known orchestral moments.
It was captivating to watch and near impossible not to love every moment. Then, once Killing Joke had fulfilled their duty in performing the 2 albums as promised, there was still time for a surprise encore.
There’s a vast catalogue to choose from, although I imagine the Royal Albert Hall show in London will end the same way. As the rhythmic behemoth of “Pssyche” went on to close an immense night out in Portsmouth, this was one of those gigs that certainly came with a valid sense of occasion.
So, just as Jaz had thanked bandmates Paul, Geordie and Youth, we return our gratitude for choosing the Wedgewood Rooms for such a memorable performance.
Killing Joke play to a sold-out Royal Albert Hall tomorrow night. Having also released their new single “Full Spectrum Dominance” earlier in the week.
Side Note: Geordie Walker had previously played at the Wedge in the industrial super-group Damage Manual – now that too, was an incredible gig.
The Bass Rig
