Dartington’s Things Happen Here venue provided the perfect stage for a night full of energy and surprises on 10th May. On one of the sunniest days of the year, the venue was packed with people enjoying the warm weather and grabbing a drink or two from the bar before the show kicked off. It had been a while since many of us last saw The King Blues—my last memory of them was at Exeter’s Lemongrove a good few years back—so I was buzzing with excitement for their return.
The evening opened with a set by Mike Moore, better known as Mike Only. Clad in his National Geographic high tops, green rimmed glasses, cargo shorts, and a Jesse Malin T-shirt, he made a striking impression. His acoustic folk-punk set was a refreshingly honest mix of tunes about positivity, hope, and love. After his first song, he even earned a playful “We’re Not Worthy” bow from Itch, setting a lighthearted tone for the night. His closing number—sung in what I can only describe as either Italian or Spanish (perhaps a rendition of “Bella Ciao”?)—was as memorable as it was unexpected.
Following Mike Only, the politically charged rap/rock collective So Good took to the stage. Fronted by a fierce female rapper and supported by two backing dancers/singers and a pair of pink balaclava-clad musicians handling bass and drums, they delivered an energetic set that was as intimate as it was raucous. Their set paid nods to anti-fascist sentiments and took cheeky jabs at figures like Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, and the record industry. In one standout moment, they playfully challenged the crowd by asking if anyone had a large penis—a question that had many of us sheepishly looking down, hoping we wouldn’t be singled out. Their performance of “I Rewrote the Fucking Bible” really opened the eyes (and ears) of everyone in the room, setting the bar high for the night ahead. Keep an eye on them—they’re hitting the road with Queens of the Stone Age across Europe in July.
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for: The King Blues. Itch took the stage solo to kick things off with a stirring version of “What if Punk Never Happened,” building tension until the rest of the band joined in for a full-throttle version of “Landlord.” The energy nearly exploded, and it wasn’t long before a scuffle erupted on the dance floor. I even got a sudden shower of beer before the rowdy troublemaker was shown the door—a moment that only added to the unique live experience of the night. The band’s set seamlessly wove in new songs alongside beloved classics like “I Want You,” “Music Man,” “Headbutt,” and wrapped up with the ever-powerful “Save the World.” At one point, Itch treated us to a delightfully blunt poem about doing anything to avoid giving Nigel Farage a massage, complete with humorous jabs about turning down fat cash offers. It was raw, unfiltered, and totally on point.
Despite the occasional stage invasions, over-zealous heckling, and the typical chaos of a lively gig, the evening retained a genuine, down-to-earth feel. Dartington’s usually laid-back vibe was transformed into an environment of unbridled live energy—and even provided for a quick escape come the end of the set via a conveniently placed fire escape to avoid having to battle through the crowd to regroup in the green room. After the set, I had a quick word with Itch, apologising for the general mayhem (I explained that the “brown acid” was very strong tonight), and he smiled, acknowledging how raucous the crowd had been.
All in all, Things Happen Here once again proved its knack for booking acts that gel with their followers. From the honest, heartfelt tunes of Mike Only to the provocative and intimate performance of So Good, and finally to The King Blues reclaiming their stage with a mix of nostalgia and new energy—it was a night to remember. Here’s hoping it won’t be long before they make their way back to the shire for another round of unforgettable music and mayhem.
Words and Pictures - Steve Muscutt
