Fresh off the plane from the live music havens of Nashville and New Orleans, there was a comforting contrast in stepping into the intimate, rain-soaked setting of Bristol’s Old England pub on an autumn night.
The Old England couldn’t be further removed from the neon-lit, high-octane energy of its American counterparts. Yet, it was here that our post-festival season live music coverage kicked off with a band whose reputation for explosive live performances has been gaining serious momentum.
The Ilfords, hailed by *The Crack Magazine* as “One of the most exciting indie bands in the North East” and described by *NARC* as “…brutally raw. Phenomenal,” are a quartet of school friends from the Northeast, consisting of David Nagaj (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Jack Walters (Lead Guitar), Finlay Gerrand (Drums), and Phil Miller (Bass). From the moment they stepped on stage, they unleashed a torrent of energy that seemed to reverberate far beyond the venue’s modest walls.
The Ilfords are a no-holds-barred kind of band, wearing their hearts on their sleeves and bringing an intensity that leaves no one standing still. Their sound—a fierce blend of punk, dance, screamo, funk, and indie—hits with the force of a sonic hurricane. Influences like Queens of the Stone Age and The Maccabees are apparent, but The Ilfords bring their own raw, youthful energy, starting hard and only ramping up the intensity as the set progresses.
Frontman David Nagaj commands the room with magnetic stage presence, steering the crowd like a conductor orchestrating chaos. Despite the compact space of The Old England, the atmosphere felt immense, with bodies colliding in spontaneous mosh pits and crowd-surfing breaking out, all fueled by the band’s relentless drive.
There’s a duality to their performance—both tight and reckless, polished yet delightfully unpredictable. The set feels loose enough to suggest they might throw out the setlist altogether at any moment, yet every track lands with the precision of a seasoned act.
Their growing catalogue of singles is already packed with standout moments. Tracks like “Snake Groove,” “Quavers,” and the hook-laden “The Demon and the Donkey” are instant crowd-pleasers, showcasing the band’s knack for creating tracks that feel both raw and radio-ready.
For a band still early in its career, The Ilfords are already armed with a catalogue of songs that could easily propel them far beyond the small venues they currently inhabit. They embody the very essence of what makes the UK live music scene so unparalleled—authenticity, energy, and an undeniable connection with the crowd.
Nashville and New Orleans may be legendary for live music, but after a night with The Ilfords, the UK feels like it’s holding its own.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
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