Photographer

Gem Rey

Killing Joke Live at O2 Academy Brixton

O2 Brixton Academy last Friday night was rammed. Fans crossing all ages and fashions to see this legendary band. To give you a back history for those who don’t know, Killing Joke are an English rock band formed back in October 1978. They released their first album in 1980. This iconic collective have influenced some major artists such as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden. With a few changes in the line up over the years, the members are all individually respected musicians in their own right. It’s incredible to see such a long standing group still touring and producing such powerful tracks.

The evening was kicked off by the rock group Death Valley High who delivered a high energy set. Moving into world famous and hugely respected LX Paterson, (The Orb). LX on decks with special guest rasta Mycool of “One Dread”. Mycool’s track “Take Your Time” has just been released. Mycool has been working closing with producer Youth (Martin Glover) on his debut album. More on that coming soon. Check him out. This roots electronica duo led the way into the night for the headlining act of Killing Joke.

Mycool with LX Paterson

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

The lights went down, candles were lit. The crowd ready. The band members all took to the stage, Youth (Martin Glover) on base, Geordie on Guitar, Reza on keys and Paul on drums, and lastly the iconic front man Jaz Coleman on the mic. It was my first time seeing them perform live. A pleasure to see a home gig while Killing Joke embark on their 6 week European tour. The bass, the power, the vocals, the professionalism. There is a presence that some musicians have on stage, where you are drawn to them for whatever reason. With such an individual style, sound and a glam rock yet raw embedded culture, Jaz Coleman projects this with ease. Half way through the gig, bass player Youth sits down, takes off his shoes, and continues to crank that bass in bare feet wearing a Japanese kaftan and his blonde dreads. Punk’s not dead… Infact it’s never been more alive! The music industry is at an exciting time right now, because there are no boundaries. Killing Joke has gone through the times and is still building a fan base every day. Fans crowd surfed to the front and got pulled out by security. The hottest looking female fire dancers covered head to toe in tattoo’s blowing fire from their mouths performed on some of the songs. I could definitely feel the heat! Killing Joke had a thundering encore from the crowd and they came back on giving a jaw dropping, controlled, yet primal soul stirring and simply iconic performance of “Pandemonia”. I could not stop dancing. What a track. 100% addicted to it. Joined in the audience by friends such as Aurora Dawn (Alabama 3), Bruno Aleph Wizard (The Homosexuals), Maff & Ned Scott & Jerry Beweley (The Egg), Segs (John Jennings of Alabama 3) and many more. A brilliant after party with DJ Mixmaster Morris in the VIP bar. Listen to his set list here on mixcloud. Great beats!

Thank you guys. Have a great tour. Until next time…

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

“The killing joke is like when people watch something like Monty Python on the television and laugh, when really they’re laughing at themselves. It’s like a soldier in the first world war. He’s in the trench, he knows his life is gone and that within the next ten minutes he’s gonna be dead … and then suddenly he realises that some c**t back in Westminster’s got him sussed – ‘What am I doing this for? I don’t want to kill anyone, I’m just being controlled”. Jaz Coleman

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy

O2 Brixton Academy