SOFT PLAY have returned to the stage as part of the tour for their latest album, HEAVY JELLY. Hailing from Royal Tunbridge Wells, their current tour has seen them take on some of the most popular music venues across the UK, with NX Newcastle being the latest pit stop up north for the duo.
Joining them on their one-night-only appearance in the northeast were Panic Shack, commanding the stage quickly upon gracing it and engrossing each and every member of the crowd before them whether they had come across the band before or not. Although their strikingly blunt and often satirical lyrics on tracks like ‘The Ick’, ‘Meal Deal’ and ‘Baby’ drew mixed reactions, it was refreshing and impressive to see a supporting act make such a strong impression so quickly.
Once the crowd were warmed up and prepped for the main act, whom the support had vocalised their praise for earlier on in their set, Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust for Life’ hummed over the speakers, raising the spirit of the room and connecting everyone with a well known and loved tune. The air in the overtly spacious NX space grew thick with smoke from e-cigarettes, sweat, and anticipation, right before the lights went down and the sweet, euphonious tones of ‘All Things’ began.
The harmonious choir vocals swelled as the track built up, contrasting sharply with the arrival of the duo on stage – two striking, topless, and heavily tattooed men preparing behind their respective stations. Their shadows cast dramatically against the ornate, panelled walls of the venue, creating a curiously romantic effect. It was ironic: a grand, theatre-like academy hosting a band with such a raw, unconventional presence. However, the serenity that played out on stage for all of ten seconds quickly disappeared, descending into the hard-hitting, fast-paced fashion that fans and contemporaries of SOFT PLAY have come to know and love them for.
The first five tracks of the setlist were exclusively from the duo’s latest album, featuring songs like ‘Mirror Muscles’, ‘Bin Juice Disaster’ and ‘Act Violently’. The latter song proved one of the liveliest of the bunch, with the majority of the crowd quickly dissipating into a jumping frenzy.
The chaos only continued as the set progressed beyond their latest material, with Laurie Vincent – bassist, guitarist, and backing vocalist in this unique musical partnership – launching into the crowd with his guitar before being lifted up by the dozens of fans underneath him. The 45-second long track ‘F*ck The Hi-Hat’ was then jointly performed by frontman Isaac Holman and the crowd, who each echoed the one and only phrase in that song… “f*ck the hi-hat!” – an ode to the simplicity yet invigorating nature of the post-punk genre.
Next up came two well-loved tracks from SOFT PLAY’s broader discography: ‘Sockets’, the energetic favourite from their debut album Are You Satisfied?, and ‘Spit It Out’ from their 2016 album Take Control. Both performances made one thing clear: fans of SOFT PLAY’s new, polished rebrand were just as passionate about their oldest hits. The packed crowd at NX showed an unwavering love for the band, embracing every era and song with equal enthusiasm – no division or distaste, just pure appreciation for SOFT PLAY’s entire musical journey.
As the backdrop featuring the bold variation of “SOFT PLAY” from their iconic hit ‘Punk Is Dead’ descended, the gig reached its climax, evoking cheers from an increasingly animated crowd. This unruly undercurrent only went on to grow, with Holman asserting “I want you to kick the sh*t out of each other” as the band retreated into playing some of their more confrontational-sounding material. The choice to include the short but high-powered tracks, ‘It Makes Me Sick’ and ‘Girlband’, in the setlist was clearly a welcomed decision, with the crowd responding in equal parts raucousness and enthusiasm.
The highlight of the night, however, was the stripped-back and wholly emotive rendition of ‘Everything and Nothing’. Dedicating the song to all those in the crowd who had struggled with mental health issues, the aura of the venue mellowed in an instant, with members of the crowd reaching out to hold one another and sing along side by side. The track was also an interesting shift sonically, as it saw Vincent ditch the guitar for the mandolin, only serving to reaffirm the softness and audible vibe change that this song presents – not only in a live setting but in SOFT PLAY’s much wider discography.
As the show neared its end, the energy on stage – and on the sticky floors – showed no signs of fading. The angsty chants of ‘Beauty Quest’, one of SOFT PLAY’s earliest releases, only grew louder in the packed, tiered academy, resonating with 2,000 devoted fans, before the song abruptly finished before a few moments of catching a breath was interrupted by the iconic chords of ‘The Hunter’.
Though an older release, the lyrics have lost none of their impact or relevance: “The people are freezing and the water is warm / And the ice caps are melting / What will happen when they’re gone?” While the song confronts the unsettling issues we face as a society, the atmosphere in the venue – both during the track and throughout the night – felt unburdened by fear or despair. Instead, it affirmed that the raw energy of British post-punk continues to resonate with so many, connecting crowds despite their individual experiences and shared challenges.
Words by Ruby Brown
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