Concert: Gang Of Four

Gang Of Four are the legendary post-punk band from the late 70s whose funky bass rifts make them immediately recognizable. Their debut album, Entertainment!, was critically acclaimed and is widely noted in many "Best Rock Albums of All Time" lists.

Lead guitarist Andy Gill is the sole original member left from the band. Bass player Thomas McNeice has been with the band since 2008, while vocalist and drummer John "Gaoler" Sterry and Johnny Finnegan joined in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

From left to right: Thomas McNeice, Johnny Finnegan, Andy Gill, and John "Gaoler" Sterry

 Hearing the songs I knew so well sung by someone different was a little jarring at first - like hearing a cover band. But after the first few songs and the first hit of the night, a;kjdsf;alkdjf, everything seemed to come together.Gang Of Four have the classic three piece instrumentation, and it seemed as though the "new kids" breathed a new life into Gill.

There were three microphones set up on stage, all at approximately the same height. The band took to the stage in classic band formation: drums (obviously) in the back, and guitar and bass on either side of the vocals which were in the middle. It didn't last that way for long however; the energy and performance of the show caused the band members to prowl the stage all night, and barely stay in the same place for more than a few verses. Sterry would grab the nearest microphone he ended up next to between headbanging/dancing/jumping around all over the place, while Gill glowered into the audience, playing with a furious intensity.

The set was full of classic hits, starting with the second song of the night: Not Great Men (short video below). Other hits included Anthrax, Damaged Goods, At Home He's A Tourist, To Hell With Poverty!, and Ether finishing off the 15 song set.

Not Great Men

I'm so glad I got to see them perform, it was a great show! As my dad pointed out, I've now seen The Buzzcocks and Gang Of Four in the same year. Almost like I went back in time to 1979.

Setlist