Just three songs into the set, Hot Water Music have performed what I think could have been the most triumphantly rousing opening to a rock show I have ever seen. It takes a lot to get me to make a fist, but they manage it almost immediately.
The band explodes into action with the high-tempo riffage of Flight and a Crash before moving swiftly into the unstoppable juggernaut that is Remedy and – after that astounding one-two punch – the band deliver the ultimate knockout blow with the wild gang sing-along of Wayfarer and leave us for dead. Those who have been waiting for Hot Water Music to return to the UK following their extended hiatus must’ve been satisfied by this astounding hat trick alone. I’m frightened that the band might have peaked too soon by playing three such beloved songs in quick succession but, luckily, nothing could be further from the truth.
Hot Water Music spend the rest of their set riding a wave of unblinking, uninterrupted energy predominantly encompassing material from ‘Caution’ and ‘Flight and a Crash’; only one song from their most recent album is present (the song in question – Poison – is warmly welcomed, however). As their career progressed, Hot Water Music’s albums became marginally softer and markedly more melodic and, tonight, it’s the older, more visceral, abrasive and hardcore material – such as No Division and Rooftops – which inspires the strongest physical reaction from the crowd.
They’re no three-chord ponies, however. Songs like The Sense prove that they can marry their usual brutality with technical guitar work and interlocking vocal arrangements. But whether it’s the old rugged stuff or the more recent melodic material, everything aims to kill; every chord has a diamond edge and a total disregard is shown by Chuck and Chris for the healthy future of their larynxes.
Murmurs among the crowd express disappointment that long-time drummer George isn’t behind the kit but the more rhythmically led songs like We’ll Say Anything prove without question that the drums and bass are locked in as tightly as needs be to support the punishing guitars and vocals. After a full hour of astounding ferocity from all four band members, Hot Water Music begin a much-demanded encore with a cover of True Believers by The Bouncing Souls which – if possible – further amplifies the crowd’s enthusiasm, causing strangers to embrace each other and bellow in unison. Having provided a fitting climax to such a truly remarkable punk show, Hot Water Music vacate the stage whilst we wipe the sweat from our eyes, nurse our throats and reassemble ourselves.