Live Review: Shed Seven // Brixton Academy, London 14.12.24

“Are we going for gold?” 2024 has been a stellar year for Shed Seven. The band hit the number-one spot in the album charts for the first time in January with A Matter of Time (rather aptly named) and swiftly followed it up with their second number-one album, Liquid Gold in September. 

Tonight finds the Yorkshire band on the last night of their tour at the reopened Brixton Academy in South London and it’s a joyous celebration of the band. Despite forming 35 years ago, they are entering a new wave of success not experienced since their 90s heyday. They have always had a loyal and dedicated fanbase, which is a testament to their live performances, which always deliver. 

Fellow Yorkshire lads The Sherlocks provide support with an energetic set to warm up the crowd. The theme song to The Magnificent Seven plays out as Shed Seven enter the stage. Lead singer Rick Witter is wearing a glittery see-through shirt and as he leads the band through the opener ‘Room In My House’ with its big roaring chorus, he instantly has the crowd within the palm of his hand. Witter is in constant motion, and almost simian-like as he provides percussion with macarras. 

“It’s Saturday night, it’s Brixton, it’s Shed Seven, it’s you lot” he declares before comparing the gig to a Christmas office party. Witter is comfortable on the microphone when both singing and interacting with the audience. He has a natural charm and makes the crowd laugh easily, with the comic nuance of a stand-up comedian, however, his vocal power is no laughing matter, as showcased on ‘Devil In Your Shoes’.   

Amongst the humour there is also an undercurrent of sentiment throughout the evening such as on ‘Ocean Pie’ and the wind section adds weight to guitarist Paul Banks’s swirling guitar solo as the crowd heartily sings the lyrics at full throttle. The two stand-out elements tonight are Banks’s light-fingered fretwork and Witters’ vocal performance. The heart and soul of Shed Seven are equally split between its two chief protagonists and they are constantly intertwined across the set.  

Although the audience also plays its part ‘Where Have You Been Tonight’ is belted out in glee by the masses, as is ‘High Hopes’ and the optimistic outlook of the songs transmits across the room. The band have a rich back catalogue of hits to choose from, which creates a greatest hit setlist for the gig. ‘On Standby’ is warmly received with its low-key intro which bursts into life and creates another huge sing-along with the fans. The band sounds fantastic, a well-honed musical juggernaut with flair. ‘Dolphin’ has a bongo beat providing the rhythm and the meaty guitar riff has the air of Led Zeppelin. 

Rowetta, of Happy Mondays fame, joins the band to provide backing vocals on two of the newer songs. Her unique Shed Seven cape matches her performance: plenty of character and power. Banks electrifies the venue with the anthemic ‘Going For Gold’ and ‘Getting Better’ which has a Rolling Stones-esque finale. Rowetta returns to the stage for a boogie on ‘Disco Down’ which gets a seal of approval from head bops across the room. 

‘Chasing Rainbows’ brings the night to a close, with its life-affirming quality about searching for happiness. The crowd sings in perfect harmony, and as you observe the smiling, jubilant faces across the entire room, you understand the evergreen and enduring quality of Shed Seven. The song is sung out by the audience long after the band has bowed and left the stage, creating a real warm moment not usually seen in London crowds. After the highs of 2024, it’s an exciting proposition to think about what the band will achieve next. As for tonight, Shed Seven has stolen the hearts and minds of Brixton with their fantastic sound, energy and wit, a real-life Christmas miracle.

Words by Dave Holgado.

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