As the excitement built for tonight’s much-anticipated SOLD OUT gig at The Phoenix in Exeter, I find myself reflecting on a missed opportunity back in 2023 when FAT DOG performed at The Cavern. Fortunately, fate has been kinder this time around, and I managed to snag a ticket for tonight’s show which is taking place just across the road.
I played ‘King of the Slugs’ (yes, all 7+ mins of it), back on a radio show in late 2023 and have been meaning to see them ever since. Known for their electrifying performances and relentless energy, FAT DOG promises an unforgettable evening that will surely make up for the one I missed, now, let’s see if they live up to the hype that surrounds them!
Opening up the evening’s festivities was a band called ‘Y’ - Naturally, I went to Instagram to do a little digging and typed in ‘Y’ and drew a blank, I bumped into one of the band after their set and he explained that the name was styled as ‘_Y_Y_WHY_Y_Y’ on the socials, it might have taken me some time to get there without his help!
The band consists of Adam Brennan (vocals/guitar), Sophie Coppin (vocals/synth), Dan GB (bass), Harry McHale (saxophone), and Fells (drums). They all bring diverse backgrounds and influences to the band, creating a unique and eclectic sound.
Their act was a colourful one, a facial disguise, interchangeable bass and guitar players, a red beret and a sound that soaked up the late 70’s post punk era whilst meeting in a darkened back alley for a sneaky doobie with their jazz cat chums. Art rock? maybe…. it’s certainly something that is not easily pigeonholed, more a genre fluid march to the dance floor for their fans. The aforementioned ‘Y’ EP is available to pre-order now via their link tree linktr.ee/yy_why_yy
Their debut EP ‘Y’ was written and well-rehearsed long before recording time came around. They whipped through it in a few days, recording it at a friend’s studio in Peckham. They cut the drums, bass, and guitars live together in the studio, overdubbing the saxophone, vocals, and synths. Finally, adding a few additional guitar overdubs and percussion parts. Everything on the EP was done in one or two takes.
The band has received support from some heavyweight tastemakers including Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 6) and John Kennedy (Radio X). They have also been confirmed as an act performing at this year’s Outer Town Festival, which takes place across multiple venues in the heart of Bristol.
The Main event kicked off with the iconic track 'Who Let the Dogs Out' by Baha Men, setting the playful tone for the evening. As the lights dimmed, the band took to the stage and launched into 'Vigilante,' the opening track from their debut album 'Woof.' The mood was dark, and the lighting matched the intensity, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a 90s underground Balkan rave complete with pounding beats and the band’s unique blend of electro-punk, rock 'n' roll, techno, and industrial-pop sending the room into a bouncing frenzy that persisted throughout the show.
During 'Boomtown,' keyboard player Chris Hughes dived into the crowd to raise the already fever pitch energy levels, not that the audience needed much encouragement. Other highlights included 'King of the Slugs,' which sounded as electrifying live as it did when I played it on the radio back in late 2023.
The band members were completely immersed in their performance. At one point, the keyboard and violin player got down on the stage and started doing push-ups, while another track featured the keyboard and sax player engaging in a few rounds of 'rock, paper, scissors.' Whether this was symbolic or just a playful break, it added to the quirky charm of their set.
The show was remarkably consistent, with Fat Dog sticking to their signature sound and delivering a high-energy performance that kept the crowd dancing all night. They played a good number from the debut long player as well as others not listed and closed the set with 'Running,' a track that has received significant airplay and is a fan favourite. The audience was left wanting more as 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' by John Denver played over the P.A., and despite no encore, the energy and excitement of the evening were undeniable.
Fat Dog has certainly found their sound and their following loves it. Their performance last night was a testament to their ability to entertain and energise a crowd. It was a Saturday night, and people came to party, and party they did! While an encore would have been the cherry on top, the band's relentless energy and immersive show left everyone satisfied and eager for their next performance.
Words and Pics by Steve Muscutt
