Nottingham's Boat Club in West Bridgford hosted a varied array of creative, captivating local talent for an eager audience, as Sancho Panza and Wizards Can't Be Lawyers (WCBL) shared the stage with support from Filter Sequence, ok lady, and Kez...
The Boat Club was opened in 1894 by a group of rebel rowers who wanted to take to the Trent on Sundays, but were prohibited by The Rowing Club. It later became one of the most competitive clubs in the country, winning Henley Regattas in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Since 1962, it has been a thriving live music venue, with the likes of U2, The Sex Pistols, Iron Maiden, and many more gracing its stage, helping establish it as one of the city's go-to places for live performances. To my shame, despite being Notts born-and-bred and having a drink or two at other club events, this was the first gig I've attended at the prestigious venue; poor form on my part, but better late than never.
I'd seen Sancho Panza at Record Store Day 2025 at Rough Trade, and although I'd listened to Wizards Can't Be Lawyers, I'd never seen the full band in the flesh. There's been some transfers between the groups, as they've said themselves; it can be hard to know when one band ends and the other begins: Sancho Lawyers? Wizards Can't Be Panza? You get the idea.
I made the short walk down Radcliffe Road to The Boat Club on Friday night; it's in the shadow of the soon-to-be-expanded City Ground, although it's been there a year longer than the home of Nottingham's second most famous football team.
I was met at the door by Sancho Panza's lead singer, guitarist, and chief ticket checker, Jack Burton; his band was supported by someone I've met numerous times since writing for Left Lion: DJ and producer, Filter Sequence. It was a downtempo set from Filter - words I wouldn't usually associate with him - especially not at the regular dance, techno and acid house event, Club Onion, which is inspired by the clubbing and rave scenes of the late 80s and early 90s. The next one is at The Cold Store on 30 October.
ok lady were a band I hadn't seen until this week; the first time was at The Grove's 2nd Birthday on Sneinton Market, and the second was tonight. The band members showed a warm chemistry as they casually vibed their way through another captivating indie-folk set.
There was one more support act to go; I was wondering why the bouncer who accompanied Jack on the door earlier - dressed in a black Fred Perry hooded jacket, black trousers and boots - was jumping up on stage. It turned out he was Jamie Thrasivoulou, the lead singer of the intense, raucous Derby punk outfit Kez. Jamie had a great presence, not only on stage, but off it too, as he jumped down into the crowd, dragging the mic stand with him. Their new single, Free Stuff, is out now.
The main event was a mash-up of two bands who have played together, toured together and jammed together, and the set list mixed and matched both groups' styles and songs. It worked perfectly.
Sancho Panza describe themselves as Sly and the Family Stone-inspired "Brit-funk" and have built a following since forming in 2018, while WCBL released their debut single Paying for a Friend in August 2024. That cross-pollination runs through both bands' recent history, with Jack, Cam Harris, and Joss Francis, to name a few, collaborating on the catchy Creatures of the Night.
The main room was busy, and the crowd were in for a treat. The big stage at The Boat Club is perfect for gig-goers and lets the acts project their vibes and fill the space; wherever you stood or sat, the sound was crisp and clear.
To me, both bands sounded very different but meshed seamlessly when playing together. Ladies Night // Gay Bowling is funky, with a catchy guitar riff rumbling throughout; there's unmistakable post-punk energy and a quirkiness that sets it apart as a WCBL track. One of the night's highlights was Sheikdown, Sancho Panza's signature tune; the band wanted it to engage their audience and get people moving at gigs. It did that and more, as the infectious bass line took it up to another level - even though it felt short at two minutes 50 seconds, if it went on for an hour, I don't think anyone (in the crowd at least) would have minded. It's an absolute banger, and I can't wait to hear it live again soon.
Towards the end of 2025, Sancho Panza released Your Place or Mine?, another song that buries into your subconscious and has you nodding your head and humming its catchy hooks and bass lines long after you first listen to it.
Not one for clunky segues, In The Hive was one of the first songs Joss had written; it's funny, weird, and very honey-heavy in its lyrics, naturally. It moves between genres, and you don't know where it's going next.
A triumphant night for the bands and friends ended with the warm buzz of a satisfied crowd and another great evening at The Boat Club, with people filtering outside and no doubt eagerly awaiting the next Sancho Panza and WCBL gig, be they together or apart.
Sancho Panza, WCBL - and more - performed at The Boat Club on 4 September 2026.
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