LIVE REVIEW: Punk Rock Factory @ Lafayette, London
Anyone who has been on TikTok (or been anywhere remotely near an emo theatre kid) will have heard of PUNK ROCK FACTORY, a group that are known for their covers of songs from pop culture. Their Spotify is a true sight to behold, with covers of the smash-hit We Don’t Talk About Bruno to their newest track Defying Gravity, they cover all bases. Ahead of their upcoming album of musical theatre covers, they embarked on a UK tour that stopped off at Lafayette in London for a sold-out showcase.
Before any band had even hit the stage, DJ Sean Smith had the task of warming up a rather eclectic crowd of fans. Now, more than ever, it’s clear of the overlap between emo kids and theatre kids, and PUNK ROCK FACTORY are using that to their advantage. With such a mixed crowd, it may have seemed daunting to find a way to get people hyped but Sean knows the way to everyone’s heart…THE VENGABOYS.
Having done sets opening up for a variety of bands in the last year, Sean has mastered the perfect playlist of hard-hitting emo bangers and party anthems that had the audience buzzing and ready for the performers.
Rating: 8/10
SAY IT ANYWAY ripped onto the stage for their performance and had the audience’s attention throughout. Though they had a standard 30-minute set they made the most of every moment. Their newest tracks Bad Luck Days and Losing Count were fan-favourites and for good reason. The four-piece group created a push-and-pull with the audience from the get-go and really got the crowd going. Performing original tracks and being sandwiched between performers playing covers is an odd task but they took it in their stride and had fun with it. If you’re looking for a fresh punk-rock group then definitely give these guys a listen.
Rating: 8/10
Opening up a set with a cover of BACKSTREET BOYS‘ Everybody is a bold move, and it paid off. Are they the most technically advanced or do they have ridiculously intricate solos? No. But they don’t need it. PUNK ROCK FACTORY have found a niche and ran with it, and it’s working out incredibly well for them.
Due to some tech issues, their setlist deviated from the plan, but that just meant that the crowd were treated to a punk rock version of the Spongebob theme tune twice in one set and no one complained about that at all. Having a set list go from the Red Dwarf Theme to Defying Gravity to We Don’t Talk About Bruno in quick succession was pure insanity but the crowd lapped it up.
PUNK ROCK FACTORY are a ridiculously enjoyable act to watch perform and the audience were having the times of their lives singing and dancing to every single song on their set. Initial fears that a set full of Disney covers could be repetitive were completely obliterated by the additions of the Power Rangers Theme, and then Running Up That Hill. Basically, any form of pop culture, PUNK ROCK FACTORY has it covered.
Whilst having DJ Sean Smith (THE BLACKOUT) at their disposal, they used him to the full extent and dragged him onstage for an electrifying performance of PAPA ROACH‘s Last Resort. The entire set was chaos in the most enjoyable manner, putting people who say they listen to ‘everything’ to the test and having a grand old time whilst doing it.
Whether you’re into Disney, musicals, punk rock, Power Rangers or all of the above, you will enjoy a PUNK ROCK FACTORY gig. After all, who doesn’t want to end a concert screaming a punk version of Let It Go at the top of your lungs?
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Ely King here:
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