LIVE REVIEW: Anti-Flag @ O2 Academy Islington, London
The world isn’t exactly in the best state right now. Something that Pittsburgh punks ANTI-FLAG are all too aware of. With their latest album 20/20 Vision the band are still fighting back. Now they take this fight to London and a packed O2 Academy Islington for an evening that is just as much about unity as it is fighting oppression.
“THIS IS A PROTEST SONG” screams Derek Zanetti of THE HOMELESS GOSPEL CHOIR before everything song. And he’s not lying, over his 20 minute set he powers through several uplifting folk punk songs. As an opening act he perfectly sets the tone for the night, it’s all about unity. Even those unfamiliar with him find themselves singing along by the end. Especially once he makes his way into the crowd for his final song Normal.
Rating: 7/10
MAID OF ACE take to the stage immediately after and could not be more different. The four piece just tear through the rowdiest and most aggro punk of the whole evening. The four sisters all have incredible presence on stage making it impossible to tell who to focus on. Whether its vocalist Allison C Elliot leading the carnage or drummer Abby C Elliot managing to be one of the most flashy drummers whilst never missing a beat, MAID OF ACE are just the complete package. Through in all the crushing riffs and infectious gang vocals, they leave a huge mark on this evening.
Rating: 8/10
Continuing on this evening or diverse punk, THE CREEPSHOW then treat the audience to their rockabilly take on the genre. One thing that immediately catches the eye is the full double bass, it just adds a little more flare to the set. It’s just another wildly fun half hour set and given the response you’d almost be mistaken for thinking this was a headline set. Kenda Legaspi leads the party and has the audience in the palm of her hand and it’s just an all round good time.
Rating: 8/10
Finally it was time for ANTI-FLAG to close out the evening and they do so in spectacular fashion. Mixing in songs from their latest album with their frankly ridiculous greatest hits catalogue means there isn’t a single dull moment. Set opener Christian Nationalist is greeted with the sort of singalong you’d expect to hear for one of the classic fan favourites. Still, it’s tracks like The Press Corpse and the eternally relevant Fuck Police Brutality that really set the crowd off.
It’s not just the great songs that make ANTI-FLAG such a brilliant live act though. The co-lead role from Justin Sane and Chris#2 make them one of the most believable punk bands around. They aren’t just throwing catchy slogans around. Their progressive view effect everything they do and they truly believe in making a difference. They also both just have so much charisma and infectious enthusiasm that they could get even the most miserable attendee fully caught up in the call and response sing-alongs.
It’s the closing combo of Brandenburg Gate and Die For Your Government that is the absolute highlight of the evening though. The former sees the band invite Derek Zanetti back on stage along with some other friends all to lead the massive sing along. Before the song really kicks off though Chris#2 encourages all the audience to make friends with someone they didn’t previously know tonight, the whole song is just the most wonderfully wholesome displays of unity. And then Die For Your Government ends things with Chris#2 and drummer Pat Thetic playing from withing the crowd and leading the final sing-along. The world might be a bleak place right now but ANTI-FLAG are still fighting to make a difference, even if it’s just providing a safe space for their fan on evening like this. These things still matter and ANTI-FLAG aren’t gonna give up any time soon.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Fran Dignon Visuals here:
