The Beths @ Button Factory, Dublin - September 17, 2025

When I found out I was going to Dublin again this year, I looked up what live shows might line up with the trip, and The Beths immediately jumped out. A few weeks ago, having liked some of their songs on my Spotify workout playlist, I decided to give them a good listen and stumbled across their live album. I've listened to it a few times, deciding they'd be a fun live show. 

We were in Dublin for a busy week, with my partner onboarding for a new job, and being a mid-week show, he was a bit tired. So we didn't stay for the encore; but I was in luck, because the one song I definitely did not want to miss was "Little Death" which they played 3rd from last. We also caught their biggest songs "Expert in a Dying Field" and "Future Me Hates Me".  

My initial attraction to The Beths is their fun energy. They can definitely write a catchy, danceable song. "No Joy" was a great bouncy early track. "Uptown Girl" brought the energy back up mid-set. And "I'm Not Getting Excited" was a similarly energetic track late in the set.

It's always great to hear the songs you want to hear, but what sets a concert above the pack for me, is when I'm grabbed by a song I don't know. "Mother, Pray for Me", with Elizabeth Stokes singing and playing guitar solo (while her bandmates listened intently from the drum riser) was a beautiful moment. I also think "Mosquitoes" stood out live, but listening back now, I'm not sure why - it probably showcased Stokes' pretty voice. 

I found myself during (and now revisiting) the show being reminded of the Cranberries.  Maybe this is because I was in Dublin and heard them pop up several times, but I think The Beths hit similar musical territory to the Cranberries, in that they can write (and perform) a surging, uplifting song, but also have stunningly beautiful quiet moments. 

The Beths played their entire new album, Straight Line Was a Lie, interwoven throughout the set, which isn't always the case, even when that's what the tour is promoting. The ten new songs were balanced by ten songs from their earlier three albums. 

There was some pretty good banter between the band and audience, beginning with one of them asking where the best Guinness in Dublin was. If that wasn't designed to get a response...!? Then they reminisced about trying the notorious 'spice bag' (deep-fried modern Irish takeaway consisting of chips, chicken, veg and Chinese spices), to much amusement.

The Button Factory itself was very cool. Only 900 capacity and laid out really well, with several levels to help line-of-sight. There's even some tall tables dotted near the back which is rare. There's a balcony with another 50 (unreserved) seats and a spot to lean on the side railing which is what we did. It was great to be able to check out a new venue that's hosted so many great (at-the-time) small indie bands.

As I often do, I started to track the songs as they were played. I didn't know the 7th song, so I pulled up setlist.fm to check the title, and noticed that someone there was updating the tracks to the site as they began. Happily, I put my phone away and fully enjoyed the show. :) Final notes: not many phones out, which I liked; Pretty subdued crowd. Maybe a female heavy crowd mainly in 20s-30s, but hardly any jumping about even during the most energetic tracks. I think this was due to the fact this was the second show added due to demand, and slotted in before the show that sold out, so maybe not the most die-hard fans. This show was their tour opener.

Setlist:
Straight Line Was a Lie
No Joy
Silence Is Golden
Future Me Hates Me
Metal
Til My Heart Stops
Mother, Pray for Me
Out of Sight
Head in the Clouds
Uptown Girl
Ark of the Covenant
Mosquitoes
Roundabout
Jump Rope Gazers
Best Laid Plans
Little Death
I'm Not Getting Excited
Expert in a Dying Field
Encore:
Take
Your Side

Blondshell w/Westside Cowboy @ Electric Brixton - Sept 11, 2025 - missed show

 Grrrr. This one might hurt. Missed it because of a week-long tube strike. Just couldn't face figuring out above-ground transport from Paddington to Brixton when the rest of London was using it too. This was compounded by knowing I would have to leave early (even if the tube WAS running) to ensure I didn't miss my last train home.

I really love Blondshell's songwriting and hope to catch her again one day. She's been on heavy rotation for me for months now. Doubly annoying because...what a cool opener. Up-and-coming Westside Cowboy are getting all sorts of kudos and buzz right now, so I bet this will be one of those shows that I ache when I think I missed. Double grrrr.

Just had to document (I don't mention the missed shows, usually - 'cept maybe for Covid) 
I know I really would have enjoyed going to this one solo, but c'est la vie.

Extra torture:
Blondshell Brings Electric Brixton to Boil...Sept 11, 2025
Live Review: Blondshell - Electric Brixton, Sept 12, 2025

 

Stiff Little Fingers w/The MEFFS @Epic Studios - July 1, 2025

 

Second time seeing SLF, and another fun feel-good show with a seasoned, happy crowd.

 

I've now seen a few shows in Norwich, but this was my 1st visit to the 850-capacity Epic Studios. Decent venue, and due to the experienced fans, no crush down the front even during the fan-favourite tracks. The bar service was a tad slow and drinks not cheap, but they were happy to fill my water bottle. And miraculously, no queue for the loos at the end of the evening! 

I survived the night having only one beer splashed on me, courtesy of a younger couple who came down front midway through the SLF set carrying full cups. Saw that coming a mile away. Again, the seasoned crowd finished their cups long before the band kicked off, much to my gratitude. 

 

The MEFFS, an energetic and fun two-piece younger punk band, did their job really well, warming up the older crowd and getting anyone in a MEFFS t-shirt to come down the middle and move. 

 

I enjoyed their whole set, but stand-outs were "Broken Britain, Broken Brains", "No Future" and "Stand up, Speak Out"  with Lily Meff getting the crowd to chant along.

 

 

SLF came on at quarter past the hour, after FIVE! Abba tracks "warmed up" the audience. 

 

Unlike the 1st time I saw them, the old legendary tracks came later in the set. Other than 3rd song, Wasted Life, it wasn't until the 13th song that they gave us a triple hit of my early album faves: Nobody's Hero, Tin Soldiers and Suspect Device. And they finished the encore with Alternative Ulster.

 

Jake had some good banter ahead of some tracks, particularly Strummerville, talking about how much Joe means to him. The tour name "Flame in the Heart" is a nod to the enduring fire Strummer ignited in the band's and fans heart, and SLF's way to keep his influence alive.

 

Political chat by him and bassist, Ali, referenced mainly the resurgence of racism and the poisonous Trump influence. Jake talked about Trump's mother Mary being an illegal immigrant before their new track, hilariously titled "Mary's Boy Child". 

 

We expected a comment on the current Kneecap controversy, given they are both from Belfast, but no.

 

Their sound was clean and clear which helped me enjoy unfamiliar tracks, like My Dark Places, about Jake's midlife depression; with an important message given the crowd makeup: talk to someone.

 

SLF is a great night out. I had fun jumping around and dancing to much-loved tracks. My Garmin even tracked a heart rate high of 185bpm. That sorts me out for Cardio for this week. :P 

Setlist:
Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae
At the Edge
Wasted Life
Won't Be Told
Strummerville
Mary's Boy Child
Straw Dogs
Piccadilly Circus
Just Fade Away
Each Dollar a Bullet
Harp
My Dark Places
Nobody's Hero
Tin Soldiers
Suspect Device
Gotta Gettaway
Encore:
Barbed Wire Love
Alternative Ulster