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 sounds was clean and clear and I enjoyed hearing 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