Gogol Bordello / Rock City / Nottingham

Yet another trip into town just before Christmas for the visit of NY Gypsy punks Gogol Bordello.

First up, we had a set from New York City based Puzzled Panther, who are Victoria Espinoza on vocals and Kay Bontempo on guitar who were supported on rhythm by Gogol Bordello’s own percussionist Pedro Era. A short, but thoroughly enjoyable set the highlight track for me was It’s Not True, But I Believe It. A gutsy punk performance.

Setlist

Puzzled Panther

Haunted House

Fake Ass Freedom Fighters

Useless Dreams

It's Not True But I Believe It

Legs Long

Smoke and the Mirrors We Broke

Next up, we have a change of pace as Peat and Diesel take to the stage, who are the main support for the evening. Peat and Diesel are a three-piece band from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, comprising Calum “Boydie” MacLeod (guitar and vocals), Innes Scott (Accordion) and Uilly Macleod (drums) who play folk-punk/rock music.

The set is fantastic, and their musical skill is clear for all to see. Each track is met with cheers from the assembled crowd and shouts for more. Following the recent loss of Shane McGowan of Pogues fame, their beautiful rendition of Dirty Old Town which is delivered with vocals that are clear and tonally crisp. The audience listened in silence before a huge round of applause – simply stunning

Peat And Diesel were a real treat, relaxing and enjoyable and a band I want to see again real soon.

Setlist

Horo Gheallaidh

Brandy in the Airidh

Dirty Old Town (Ewan MacColl cover)

Kenny Dhomhnaill Fhionnlaigh

Stornoway

Western Isles

Country Boy

I head into the pit ready for tonight’s headliners – Gogol Bordello. Formed in New York back in 1999 from a collective of musicians from all over the world. The seven piece band includes Frontman Eugene Hütz from Ukraine, gypsy violinist Sergey Ryabtsev from Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, American (from Argentinian parents) Erica Mancini on accordion, Gil Alexandre on bass from Brazil, Boris Pelekh from Russia on guitar, Pedro Erazo from Ecuador and Americans Ashley Tobias (percussion) and Korey Kingston on drums. This is the gypsy punks first ever visit to Nottingham and to Rock City.

As they stride out onto the stage Eugene grabs the mic and slams down his bottle of red wine on the monitor box spraying us in the pit and the feverish, anarchic energy kicks right in. The set is incendiary , and doesn’t take a breath for 90 minutes as Eugene Hütz leads the way storming round the Rock City stage as the crowd are bouncing along.

Sergey (violin) and Erica (accordion) dance around the stage as if around the campfire, as they play fast and hard, and Pedro frequently jumps out from the back in his painted black jump suit and adds a frenzied element to the live entertainment.

Hütz is on fire, bellowing out the vocals , taking frequent sips from the red wine, it’s a show with an energy and life unlike anything else I’ve seen.

Highlights of the set include Immigrant Punk, Fire On Ice Floe, Trans-Continental Hustle and the brilliant Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher). Each is delivered with power and passion. As the set draws to a close, it’s clear that Start Wearing Purple is a real crowd favourite along with final track Pala Tute.

We get a two song encore which consists of My Strange Uncles from Abroad and Solidarity. With such energy on stage from Eugene, Sergey, Erica, Pedro and Guy it’s no wonder the crowd are reaching fever pitch and the crowd surfers are out for a good time.

Gogol Bordello are like a cross between the sound of The Levellers, and the pure unadulterated folk-punk raucous fun of a band like Skinny Lister. It’s chaos, in a delightful way, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been to such a fun, lively and crazy show at Rock City.

A stunning night, and one I want to re-live again…. Very soon !

Setlist

Sacred Darling

I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again

Not a Crime

Immigrant Punk

Wonderlust King

My Companjera

Fire on Ice Floe

Suddenly… (I Miss Carpaty)

Focus Coin

Trans-Continental Hustle