Every generation has its soundtrack—the bands that capture the highs, heartbreaks, and euphoria of youth. For me, Schubert Dip by EMF is one of those defining records, with the hit “Unbelievable” deeply etched into my teenage memory. Picture a 14-year-old me, sitting at the back of a coach on a school trip to Raglan Castle, when my mate Jon leaned over, placed his minidisc headphones on me, and said, “Have you heard this? It’s mint.” That’s how I found EMF, a West Country band from up the road in the Forest of Dean. They weren’t just famous—they were ours.
Flash forward to 2024, and the Marble Factory crowd is a mix of grey-tinged beards and receding hairlines, but the energy is unmistakable. From the cheers and grins around me, it’s clear: nostalgia is in full swing. EMF’s James Atkin, Ian Dench, and the crew took the stage, and we, the forty-somethings, threw caution to the wind, school night or not. It was a throwback to ‘90s rebellion, even if a few of us would be nursing sore backs and reaching for ibuprofen come morning.
It’s almost criminal that EMF is so often reduced to “Unbelievable.” Sure, it’s their iconic chart-topping hit, but EMF has always been more than just that song. They’re a band that bridged the ‘80s and ‘90s, blending indie rock with an edge and using their platform to shout about politics and even the AIDS epidemic—a force beyond the charts.
Decades have passed, with lineup changes, solo ventures, and a handful of reunions. Yet here we are, in the 2020s, with a band revitalized and back on tour, showing the newer acts what it takes to pull a loyal crowd. There’s a lightheartedness to EMF these days, a blithe vibe that was palpable as they threw themselves into fan favorites like “I Believe,” “Children,” and “Lies,” bantering with each other and with the crowd.
As a bonus, they treated us to a ‘90s medley—a raucous mix that had us throwing caution (and our knees) to the wind with snippets of “Chime,” “Pump Up The Jam,” “Dominator,” “Breathe,” “Info Freako,” “Born Slippy,” and “Hey Boy Hey Girl.” When the unmistakable opening of Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” began, James handed over the mic, letting us sing out the anthem, the crowd united as one.
Yes, “Unbelievable” got the biggest cheer, but this show was far from a one-hit wonder. EMF reminded us that music isn’t just about the past—it’s about the energy, the connection, and the moment. Great bands don’t fade; they live on.
@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
