Formed in New York in 1999 from an eclectic collection of musicians from all over the world, this was Gogol Bordello's first show in Nottingham in five years, yet they have lost none of their anarchic fervour, dynamism and sweaty energy in the intervening period...
As our callous Government seems hellbent on pushing through a policy to send immigrants who have already suffered war, famine and political unrest to Rwanda, this show is a timely reminder of just what a beautiful contribution immigration makes to society.
Formed in New York in 1999 from an eclectic collection of musicians from all over the world, it’s the gypsy punks first show in Nottingham in five years yet they have lost none of their anarchic fervour, dynamism and sweaty energy in the intervening period.
Led by Ukrainian tour de force of a frontman Eugene Hütz, this septet storm through a breathless ninety-minute set which gives the Rock City floorboards a serious work out as the crowd bounce along in unison.
It’s not long before coat, hat and trim black Fred Perry have been discarded and Hütz is bellowing out their visceral anthems while swigging from a bottle of red wine (which he will later pour all over his chest and spray the crowd with).
Immigrant Punk, Fire On Ice Floe and Trans-Continental Hustle are all delivered with ramshackle glee, while Start Wearing Purple proves to be the standout crowd favourite.
Backed by bearded violin maestro Sergey Ryabtsev, kick-ass accordionist Erica Mancini and fellow vocalist and rabble-rouser Pedro Erazo, Gogol Bordello’s set is powered on by relentless propulsive drummer Korey Kingston. And just went you think you’ve got the measure of their MO, two backing singers enter the fray and heighten the onstage madness.
It’s all quite intoxicating as call and response pleas are honoured, crowd surfers gather momentum and yet more red wine is split, Saturday nights at Rock City have rarely been more raucous.
A brilliant cover of The Specials’ Gangsters takes things in quirky ska direction before the band later depart promising not to leave it so long – "See you Wednesday?" quips Hütz. Fine by us.
What a boring, beige world it would be if we weren’t exposed to other people’s cultures and music – thank you Gogol Bordello, that was a blast.
Gogol Bordello performed at Rock City on 9 December 2023
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
