Less than two months after their headline show next door in KK’s 2, Marisa has brought her Moths back again—this time for what amounts to a half-hour taster in front of someone else’s crowd.
But the thing about them is, you could put them in front of any rock crowd in the UK and they’d both fit in and be welcomed.
They’ve got something.
Kicking things off with the slow-burning menace of “Needy,” they built tension before the explosion of “Get It Off My Chest,” which showcased Marisa’s superb vocals—confirming she’s one of the most compelling focal points around.
Her mental health came to the fore on “Wither Away,” adding emotional weight, while “Choke” flipped the mood entirely, becoming a massive singalong as Marisa buzzed around the stage with infectious energy.
“Borderline” was a celebration of outsider spirit, the crowd lighting up the venue with phone torches in a moment of unity. By the time “Who Are You Waiting For?” closed things out—soaring and anthemic—it was a statement of intent, for sure, but also of their growing confidence and belief.
Confidence and belief aren’t things Inglorious have ever lacked. When they burst out nine years ago (and it can’t just be me that thinks 2016 was yesterday, can it?), they were the boys most likely. And if that never quite happened—for whatever reason (the band’s history is well known)—what’s never been in question is the quality of their songs.
They’ve just released a new album. V came out the day before the gig, and they begin with its opening track, “Testify.” One thing is instantly clear: the sheer joy with which they attack the stage.
It’s been getting on for three years since they were anywhere, and this new iteration of the group looks absolutely thrilled to be back.
What that means is there’s an electricity that flows through the 75 minutes they’re on stage.
Whether it’s older stuff like “Breakaway” or tracks from the new album like “Devil Inside” or the brilliant “Say What You Wanna Say”—which comes a little later and sees singer Nathan James round on the haters—almost doesn’t matter.
“Read All About It” and “Takin’ The Blame” (which sees James bang a tambourine in that way frontmen always seem to) are given a little extra spice, and if “High Flying Gypsy” always swaggered, then it certainly does here.
And what of James? OK, the cruise ships he’s been singing on might pay well, but he’s a rock singer—and a damn good one. Here, reunited with original bassist Colin Parkinson, they all look reborn.
There’s a couple of acoustic numbers—like there always were—in “Bleed For You” and “Glory Days,” and they explore the blues side of their material with “Making Me Pay” and “Holy Water.” Here, new guitarist Richard Shaw excels.
The only track from We Will Ride, “She Won’t Let You Go,” is given a prominent slot toward the end, but after “Unaware” there’s no encore. Instead, they stay out for another from V—”Stand”—before ending with “Until I Die.”
The symbolism is clear. No ego. Just music. And they’re all the better for it.
A look around the crowd as the riff for “…Die” kicks in, and there are heads going in unison. It’s clear people love this band. Maybe Inglorious have realised just how much—and it’s great to have them back, and on form like this.
