Music / Review

Review: Working Mens Club, SWX – ‘Close to a perfect gig’

By Angus Cawood  Friday Dec 2, 2022

Working Men’s Club’s performance at SWX was an absolute treat on a wet and cold Wednesday evening.

The night was destined to be a success with Scalping performing as an opening act, their crunchy blend between metal and electronic music paired with captivating and shocking visuals set the scene.

My first introduction to Working Men’s Club was their 2019, inaugural single Bad Blood/Suburban Heights, which was on a near semi constant repeat when I initially discovered it.

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They have now come into their stride with their most recent full length album release, Fear Fear, a dark and heavy synth pop album marriage to their previous post punk sensibility’s.

The albums double ‘F’ logo was projected behind the band as they performed, perfectly matching the dark and moody stage lights and painting the band in a dark green glow creating a murky atmosphere that perfectly fit their sound.

When Working Men’s Club’s lead frontman, Syd Minsky-Sargeant, took to the stage, he provided a sense energy and intensity to the Yorkshire four piece as he danced and keeled around the stage, almost in complete contradiction to the band as they remained stoic and rock steady.

Their live performance served the audience with a much richer sound, with added layers of depth and darkness, culminating in being one of my favourite gigs I’ve been to this year.

Their sound was faultless, with my only criticisms being that Scalping are a hard act to follow for their sheer visual spectacle, and after being awed by the unity of their sound and imagery, Working Men’s Clubs simple rotating logo felt like a step down.

There were some moments where the extended length of some of their songs felt somewhat self indulgent, in which I found my concentration and mind lapsing as they seemed to drag.

However this should not distract from otherwise what was a close to perfect gig.

Main photo: Angus Cawood

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