I love Rock City as a live venue and have seen the likes of IDLES, Inhaler and Fontaines DC grace its stage over recent years, always either from the pit or the side-lines. This time, we found our place on the balcony in order to guarantee a good view of the Swedish sextet in all their glory.
But before VB could make an appearance, we waiting in anticipation for the support. Fat Dog were an unexpected surprise, met with an enthusiastic applause as they walked on stage, sporting an intriguing array of fashions. I had never heard of them before, and had failed to track them down in a quick pre-gig research. Nothing could prepare me for this band, with their excitable and mesmerising synth player sporting buckets full of enthusiasm throughout, as the talented saxophonist wielded their instrument to add that extra unconventional layer of punk-sax that I’m a big fan of in post-punk bands nowadays.
When their first song kicked in with its dirty, synthy bass, things just got filthier and filthier. The crowd became more and more electrified with each song, as the frontman couldn’t resist getting involved. Into the bouncing crowd he waded, making everyone part of the show – an interactive experience was taking hold. I lost count of how many separate mosh pits occurred, how many crowd surfers and flailing limbs I witnessed down in the pit. You would struggle to pigeonhole them into a particular sound but I have a feeling they wouldn’t like that anyway. Their whole set was just a party, good vibes and everyone simply having a good time. An immensely catchy number saw him shout ‘I Am The King’ in amidst fans and strangers who were all singing along. Certainly set us up for the main event, certainly would see them again.
Swiftly and surely, Stockholm-based Viagra Boys appeared and began with opener ‘It Ain’t Enough’. Seemingly getting all the ‘Ain’ts’ out of the way, ‘Ain’t No Thief’ and ‘Ain’t Nice’ came thick and fast, by this point frontman Seb has already lost his tracksuit top, showing off his masterpiece of a tatted torso, whilst the crowd’s energy was running high. A personal favourite ‘Punk Rock Loser’ got everyone singing along, ‘Yeah I’m a savage, I’m really cool’; a satirical song taking the mick out of obnoxious assholes while also drawing on that empowering moment when you feel like you’re king of the world.
Following ‘Slow Learner’ from their debut album, the distinctive bass riff of ‘Big Boy’ from most recent Cave World boomed through the room. Featuring Jason Williamson from Nottingham’s very own punk-hop duo Sleaford Mods, there was chat about him making an appearance. As the song went on, I was becoming more doubtful that we were going to see Jason. I was wrong. He waltzed on stage in an unpretentious manner to adoring fans shouting ‘He’s a big boy’ and everyone went wild. I enjoyed his and Seb’s little boogie and was grateful to have witnessed such a collaboration live.
Next we were treated to a little saxy interlude with ‘Cold Play’, and saxophonist Oskar cannot go unmentioned. I was in awe not just by his sax, but his sass and his moves, an absolute joy to watch throughout the set whilst making sure the band’s signature jazz-punk sound was maintained. Focus then fell on yet more songs from their latest pandemic-era album, oozing satire with ‘Creepy Crawlers’, ‘The Cognitive Trade-Off Hypothesis’ and ‘Troglodyte’, all encapsulating themes of conspiracy theorists and regression to the dark-ages; all this a stark contrast to fan-favourite ‘Sports’ which didn’t fail to get everybody jumping.
Seb talked a lot during the set, but we didn’t mind. Teasing us with ‘I’ve got some exciting news’, he later revealed all with much delight to the crowd. I won’t reveal his big news just yet but it involves being a Father and 48-52 baby fresh-water shrimps (if you know, you know.) Speaking of which they also played ‘Shrimp Shack’, an underrated track allowing us all to have a little nostalgic boogie.
My only complaint would be the fact they ran out of time to do the beloved ‘Worms’ and ‘Research Chemicals’, but their pure creativity, their chat and their weirdness, the local guest appearance and a rare play of an old circa-2016 tune ‘Liquids’, made up for all that. A true beauty of a show filled with a little bit of everything from a very exciting band named after a little, blue pill – give them a listen if you haven’t already, you might just fall in love.
Viagra Boys are currently on their UK tour @viagraboys
Keep up to date with Fat Dog @fatdogfatdogfatdog_
Photo Credits:
Featured Image from Emma Beeston
Fat Dog & Viagra Boys photos from Zoe Whichello