Who
Gogol Bordello
Who
Peat & Diesel
Puzzled Panther
Where
Birmingham O2 Institute
When
8th December 2023
Price
£28.50
Who with
No-one
Position
Towards the back
Comments
I got my ticket for this in June for my first viewing of Gogol Bordello since 2017! It was my ninth time too, and it's funny that I still think of them as a "new band" in my collection when I've been a fan since 2006/7. Alongside Kraftwerk they probably represent the last great love of "new" music for me, and it's fascinating as I couldn't have picked two more different acts to get into. It was the usual failed drama and effort getting anyone to join me, and as the show approached I heard through their albums, including the two latest efforts Seekers & Finders and Solidaritine the night before the show. I was actually quite impressed by them, although I'm not sure what the unnecessary second version of Forces Of Victory is all about? I enjoyed a good night out two days beforehand at a few pubs in Birmingham, yet again failing to visit the German Market as intended, but getting a pleasing Thai meal and beers in the warmth instead. This show was on a Friday night and a little over a week after Gruff Rhys, and I'd also asked for a refund for Black Grape, not hearing anything until 4 weeks later. And in fact it's only four weeks later that I'm actually writing this review up, just not finding the time or energy to do it in. I see I made very few notes of the concert itself, which is a shame, but hopefully my videos jogged my memory adequately. I also could have sworn that this show was at the Wulfrun so felt a little frustrated to have to head into Birmingham again, but at least it wasn't at the Academy.

I had a frustrating day at work being made to attend a pointless meeting, but I managed to ignore it and actually write up my Gruff Rhys review, as well as preparing for this weekend and even catching up on my actual job. I also saw an episode of Thunderbirds and decided to eat at home to save time and money, before taking my car into Wolves and getting the onward super off-peak train at around 7pm. I was wearing my new glasses which had temporarily become my main pair, before I got the other ones adjusted and they fell to the wayside as far less comfortable. It was a pretty cold night but the temperature was a good bit above zero, and the few cancellations on the trains didn't affect me. My review of the pre-gig is very thorough as I was making phone notes on my journey in, capturing such details as that I was wearing my SFA Furrymania t-shirt and resisted getting a McFlurry or a beer, heading quickly through the German market and taking a few pics. I got in with a drama free search using a PDF ticket on my phone, and could see that there were two queues for two separate shows tonight, not that I've ever seen anyone playing the Academy 2. Doors had opened at 7pm and I was 45 minutes later, but it was still fairly quiet, and my not eating in town had more than cancelled out my later departure. First support band Puzzled Panther were onstage and on their last two songs already, finishing well before 8pm. They consisted of two ladies with guitars up front, and the annoying shouty guy from Gogol Bordello was hitting drums for them at the back. Once they finished I settled at the back in front of the mixing desk, noting that I had a perfect view of the show as well as a comfortable barrier to lean against, and would be away from most of the pushing and shoving also.

I'd stuck to my moshpit retirement and intended to keep it up, and the second support act Peat & Diesel took to the stage just after 8pm. They were three guys on accordion, drums and guitar, and the Scottish flag on the accordion provided a heavy hint that they were a Scottish act. They had at least one fan in the audience judging by the one Scottish flag I saw, but the crowd generally enjoyed them. A Solidaritine album backdrop was visible throughout, making a change from the longstanding Gypsy Punks background that Gogol Bordello have stuck with so many times in the past. Peat & Diesel peaked with a cover version of Dirty Old Town by The Pogues in honour of the late Shane MacGowan, who had died the week before. It was extended and got the crowd going, and I'm astonished how many people knew the words. After what came later, I researched a bit more and was shocked and disappointed that the best song The Pogues ever did wasn't even their own tune, and I thought I liked it but I must say I barely knew it compared to most of the fans tonight. The crowd did seem to know some of the songs and they were pretty catchy too, and the band milked the end of their 40 minute set so much that they'd almost forgotten that they were merely the support act. But the crowd seemed to be on their side, and they provided more entertainment than many do in what so often turns out to be thankless support slots. It did feel like I was being a bit boring staying at the back, and a seemingly 80 year old lady who astonishingly was seeing Gogol Bordello didn't help to offset that feeling. She seemed to enjoy it though and know what she was getting into, so ultimately I'm impressed!

It was certainly a better place to lean back and make some notes, and I also read some of my first Gogol Bordello gig review from back in 2007 out of interest. Peat & Diesel hadn't finished until 8.45pm so I expected a quick changeover, as roadies were scurrying about amid blue lights to set everything up fast. Although the crowd had increased, it didn't seem to be a sell-out, and it's a shocker that Gogol Bordello can spend so many years putting on glorious live shows and not sell out immediately. Stupid people, eh? All seemed to be ready a little after 9pm, but Gogol Bordello got off to the worst possible start by making us wait through a long and tedious intro tape before they took to the stage. When they did finally appear, they did it in style with a whizz through Sacred Darling, all the way from their debut album. This was blown out of the water by I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again, as I shot my first video. It was loud and chaotic, and Eugene was at the front of the stage getting the crowd going. It was a retro and original start, and I was very impressed, but it was clear that there'd been quite a few new members since the last time I'd seen them. If they ever let Sergey go though, I would be demanding my money back! Even though I was right at the back and enjoying a perfect vantage point to take lots of videos, I still almost felt sucked into the moshpit, and obviously Not A Crime was a risky moment for this. I shot a video of the intro amid blue lights turning to purple, capturing the amazing energy of the band and recording up until the end of the first verse. It was a fabulous start, and a drop-off in pace with Immigrant Punk was probably for the best.

Next up was Wonderlust King, my video for which started off blurry and slow before the song burst into life. My new camera seems up to the task, although I'm not convinced that the sound quality is quite as good. However, compared to my phone or my even older cameras, it does seem to be a huge improvement. My Companjera is a tune I remain fairly indifferent to, and Eugene started off fully dressed with a hat, before stripping down to a vest, enjoying a fake tug of war with the roadie he gave his top to. Inevitably he ended up topless, but he did later put some clothes back on. I've been seeing them for a while now but I see no signs of ageing yet, and Gogol Bordello still retain insane levels of energy throughout. One of the highlights of the evening was new song Fire On Ice Floe, where I read that Puzzled Panther returned to the stage. It was thrilling as the band all lined up at the front and rocked out. I shot a video that didn't quite capture its glory, but it's only through this footage that I can see that Eugene was wearing a PiL vest. I did sometimes feel that Gogol Bordello aren't as good as they used to be, but after listening to the newer albums and songs such as this, I have to say that the quality levels remain as high as I could possibly expect after so many years. Suddenly... (I Miss Carpaty) continued the trend of unexpected highlights, and the sheer energy of the violin during the rock-out meant that it was the video I posted to Facebook afterwards. I also re-added this brilliant tune to my Gogol Bordello greatest hits, which was definitely in need of an update. Glorious! I neither recognised or remembered new tune Focus Coin, and took an embarrassingly long time to realise that the band were performing an energised take of Trans-Continental Hustle. I shot a video capturing low lights which changed to the colours of the Ukrainian flag. And just when I got to grips with this, the band burst into American Wedding, effectively embedding it within Trans-Continental Hustle! Eugene was now topless and it was a fairly minimalist version with drums and vocals doing the heavy lifting, but it was nevertheless wonderful.

I've always held a deep dislike for Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher), mostly because the annoying shouty guy takes the lead on it, and my opinion didn't change tonight either. Some very rude lady pushed past me to talk to the sound desk, loudly berating them for the sound quality being shit (!). It was not nice, and I wonder if she was representing the band, or was just an exceptionally rude and unpleasant fan? I mean the sound quality wasn't the best and was a bit garbled and chaotic, but I've heard worse and there was still plenty to enjoy. I think the quality improved as the evening went on, and certainly it wasn't worth a rant at the sound desk for. I was delighted to hear Mishto! and recorded a video from near the start. The crowd were clapping and my video was blurry as I attempted to zoom in on Sergey, but the crowd were moshing and so were the audience, as Eugene reminded us "it's fucking Friday night!". And it sure was! This was followed by a lovely interlude as Sergey took centre stage under a spotlight for a little violin solo as Eugene stood behind him waving a flashlight, and this led into the inevitable glory of Start Wearing Purple. I shot another video once I worked out what it was, and zoomed in on Sergey as he took to the front of the stage for his memorable vocal bit. The singing along wasn't as mental as it has been before for this spectacular moment, but for me it's the component that pushes this song into true greatness, as without it I'd probably find this tune overrated.

Next up was the excellent Sally, as I shot another video amid red lights and the expected chaos. Eugene had put his top back on and next up was Pala Tute with a cheeky snippet of Gangsters by The Specials thrown into it. I shot another video and the singing on the build up to the chorus was fantastic. It always makes me think of Twist & Shout, and it's a real crowd pleaser. And that was the end of the glorious main set, and I had high hopes for the encore. Little did I realise that Gogol Bordello were about to fob us off with one of the worst encores I've ever had the misfortune to hear. I only realised afterwards that it consisted of three cover versions, as opposed to new songs I didn't quite know, and that is totally uncool and unacceptable. First up was Bodies by Sex Pistols, and this may have been the moment where a snippet of Heart And Soul by Joy Division was thrown in. One unknown cover is bad enough, but next up Eugene was by himself delivering an unknown cover version from Shane MacGowan And The Popes in tribute. The support band had done Dirty Old Town and it had been a treat, but Eugene was wasting precious time on a slow and rather dull song, and his proclaiming Shane MacGowan as the greatest songwriter of the past two generations was frankly ridiculous. Most people know them for that horribly overrated Christmas song that so many people still think is an original and "edgy" choice but is anything but, and I was staggered to read that Dirty Old Town - their only other notable hit I was familiar with - was just a cover version, as I mentioned above! I had purchased The Pogues hits and even seen them supporting The Libertines in 2014, for what in fact was their last UK show ever. I do accept that I may be missing some tricks, but they certainly aren't worth that level of tribute!

Eugene was also being a bit of a dick here, loudly swearing and ranting at some fans talking during this wasted encore time, declaring it a funeral song. But it was just an awkward moment that demonstrated how much better Gogol Bordello are than their heroes, and precious minutes that should have been filled with a glorious rendition of Baro Foro were squandered! And then the set finished with Solidarity, which apparently is a cover version by Angelic Upstarts. And what the actual fuck were they up to? I mean I thought their playing Alcohol after Baro Foro was a frustration, but this was next level bullshit! I shot a video and the band hung around to milk applause, but I just couldn't bring myself to clap. I clearly wasn't alone, as the crowd seemed to want to praise a glorious main set, but also couldn't overlook the worst encore imaginable, which has considerably dragged the mark in this review down. And their self indulgence had also shafted me as it made me much later for the dodgy trains, and ultimately too tired to go swimming in the morning. If I'd known they'd piss away their encore like this I could have left after Pala Tute, and if they'd instead came back with Ultimate followed by Baro Foro, I could have been rewarding this show 9/10 and praising it to high heaven. On my journey back I was sweaty and annoyed and typed up a few notes, but not as many as I should have done really. I sat in the former first class seats but they'd been downgraded, and that was fair enough as they were identical to the standard seats anyway.

Gogol Bordello acknowledged towards the end of the show that it had been six years since they'd been in our area, and I think that they were referring to the Wolves show in December 2017. I look back on that setlist and it was spectacular, and I wonder if I was a little mean to reward that only 8/10 when it had included Baro Foro and finished wonderfully with Think Locally, Fuck Globally? That tune had been left out tonight, and also I was really warming to The Other Side Of Rainbow, and that would have been a much better choice of ballad than what they performed. Also Malandrino, Break The Spell, We Rise Again and When The Trickster Starts A-Poking (Bordello Kind Of Guy) would have been appreciated. I know Gogol Bordello would struggle to fit in everything, but if they hadn't pissed about with that long and pointless intro tape and the shittest encore imaginable, there was room for just about everything, and that's the infuriating thing. I was motivated afterwards to redo my Gogol Bordello greatest hits, unusually finishing it well before writing up this review itself in January. The highlights were amazing and I can't believe I had to attend this show alone, and I feel that I came away more annoyed than anyone who'd joined me could possibly have been. Getting to appreciate Fire On Ice Floe was worth the price of admission alone, and the first half of the show teased some unexpected surprises that the second half failed to deliver upon. I'll happily see them again, but Gogol Bordello need to stop fucking us over and learn to do encores properly. Two times they'd followed Baro Foro with Alcohol and the anti-climax had been crushing, but this was far worse as they'd failed to deliver the goods, and fuck knows what they were thinking when they decided that three random cover versions was a good way to finish an otherwise excellent set.
Setlist
Sacred Darling
I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again
Not A Crime
Immigrant Punk
Wonderlust King
My Companjera
Fire On Ice Floe
Suddenly... (I Miss Carpaty)
Focus Coin
Trans-Continental Hustle/American Wedding
Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)
Mishto!
Start Wearing Purple
Sally
Pala Tute
Bodies
The Song With No Name
Solidarity

Mark: 8.0/10