On the day when the whole city and country were somewhere watching the England vs Netherlands Euros semi-final, American rockers The Gaslight Anthem had the unenviable task of performing to 2,000 mildly distracted punters at Rock City. Taking the challenge firmly in their stride (and the result thankfully going England’s way), it made for a memorable night like no other in Nottingham’s most iconic music venue…
When The Gaslight Anthem booked this festival warm-up show in Nottingham ahead of their headline performance at 2000 Trees Festival, they probably didn’t imagine they’d be clashing with one of the biggest football matches in England’s history, taking place on the same evening. With this being the case, I did wonder what kind of turnout there would be for this show, fully expecting a half-full Rock City main hall with some opting to cut their ticket losses and choosing to watch the game instead. To my surprise as I arrive for support act Spanish Love Songs (who impressed earlier this year at their Rescue Rooms show), the room is already nearing capacity.
“This is f*cking incredible, thanks for coming down early on this important day” says a thankful Dylan Slocom, frontman for the LA-based outfit. He and the band reward the eager crowd straight away with an electric start to their set, with Lifers, Losers and Self-Destruction (As A Sensible Career Choice) immediately getting the audience singing along. As the latter comes to an end, a yell of “LEGENDS!” comes from the audience, invoking a smile from Slocom. “No, you guys are the f*cking legends – I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad time touring in the UK” he says, sharing his appreciation for the vocal British crowds.
And vocal they are, with as many coming out for Spanish Love Songs it seems based on the noticeable abundance of the band’s t-shirts being adorned around the room. It’s also a good warm-up for their own 2000 Trees performance, with a crowd-pleasing setlist that includes fan-favourites Pendulum, Kick and Haunted. Before they end their short set on the anthemic Clean-Up Crew, Dylan reveals the influence of Gaslight Anthem on the band as they were forming, saying it’s a dream to support them as they are “one of our favourite bands ever.” No doubt a cool moment for a band who are just going from strength to strength.
During the interval, everyone inevitably jumps on their phones to keep track of the England scoreline. As news of a Harry Kane equaliser reaches the congregation, cheers reverberate around the hall, creating a buzz in the room ahead of The Gaslight Anthem, who eventually take to the stage to the sound of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Can’t help but think they missed a trick not going with Vindaloo, World In Motion or Three Lions on this occasion!
They waste little time getting going, powering through an energetic quintet of 45, Spider Bites, High Lonesome, Biloxi Parish and The Weatherman, all without a pause for breath. The Notts crowd match the momentum, singing at the top of their lungs and bouncing around.
“Hello” says frontman Brian Fallon, eventually taking a moment to acknowledge the rowdy audience. “We have a hard curfew at 11pm, so I’m trying not to talk too much. But if you need to check your phones, and something good happens, and you want to yell – totally fine with it. And if you check your phone, andsomething bad happens, and you want to yell, also totally fine with it. I’m not Jack White, I’m in a good place. I personally don’t give a f*ck about it - but I hope you win.” It’s a wry moment with Brian’s honest and refreshing assessment of the situation only adding to the cheerful atmosphere in the room.
From that point everybody is thoroughly engaged on the show, with the likes of Red Violins, Positive Charge and Handwritten only adding more fuel to the fire. It’s at this point I finally notice that guitarist Ian Perkins is wearing an England top to support the cause while, completely unrelated, the drums have a motif of Sandy Lyle on there, the iconic character portrayed by the late-great Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2004 rom-com, Along Came Polly. As a big fan of that character, always great to see some Sandy Lyle appreciation!
As Mulholland Drive, Howl and I Coul’da Been A Contender continue to drive the merry ruckus at the front, an enormous cheer erupts as news of Ollie Watkins’ heroic winner reaches Rock City. The band pause to get the 2-1 score update, before then continuing. As soon as the performance is finished, an impromptu chorus of “IT’S COMING HOME” begins, the room positively bursting with joyful elation. As Brian Fallon plays the opening riff to Michigan 1975, another cheer rings out for the full-time whistle, the band on stage just laughing with each other at the juxtaposition of a tender number being played to a wildly ecstatic audience. “Congratulations, you know it was cause of us right? We’re your good luck charm” jokes Brian.
After some more wry humour as Brian begrudgingly plays 1930 for a fan on Instagram (“You can’t send a request and then not follow me - sort your sh*t out!”), he then thanks Spanish Love Songs and insists they add some “Spanish Bath Bombs” to their merchandise offering. “UK Crowds are always our favourite; I know we shouldn’t say that but it’s the truth. It’s like parents with two kids who say they don’t have a favourite kid – if you’re being honest with yourself, you do” shares Brian, showing love for the crowd with this close-to-the-bone analogy. “We have two more songs for you, thanks for coming out – here’s two songs you’ll love more than your kids!”
Just like that, it’s into the seismic final duo of Great Expectations and The ‘59 Sound, with arms in the air, mosh pits aplenty and the roof almost taken off from the thunderous singing. As the band take a bow and exit the stage to huge applause, Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline plays out over the speakers. It creates the perfect finale to tonight’s show, with everyone singing in joyful unison as they leave the venue on Cloud 9. So good - so good!
While I’m sure many would’ve been tempted to watch the match instead, the outstanding double bill of Spanish Love Songs and The Gaslight Anthem together, along with the thrilling atmosphere from the whole occasion, left any FOMO firmly at the door. A truly unique show that only reaffirmed the joyous power of live music and sport – is football Coming Home? You bet it is!
The Gaslight Anthem performed at Rock City on 10th July 2024, with support from Spanish Love Songs.
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