Oklahoma’s finest purveyors of “ugly pop” made a triumphant return to Bristol last Thursday, as stepsisters Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse, joined by Kelli’s brother Kurtis Mayo, brought their inimitable energy to a packed Exchange.
For over sixteen years, Skating Polly have been forging their own path with a raw, genre-blurring sound and an unshakeable DIY ethos. Across six albums, they’ve built a fiercely loyal following by refusing to be boxed in — their music an unpredictable cocktail of riot grrrl, grunge, punk and indie rock that constantly keeps listeners on their toes.
The trio’s musical fluidity is part of their magic: swapping instruments mid-set, delivering poetic yet piercing lyrics, and balancing melodic intricacy with visceral punk aggression. Skating Polly’s live reputation precedes them — they’re known for emotionally charged performances that veer between hook-laden choruses and chaotic, cathartic outbursts, drawing inspiration from acts like Bikini Kill and Nirvana while retaining a sound unmistakably their own.
Bristol was treated to that full-force experience as the band tore into their set with the unfiltered spirit of a garage jam. From the opening notes, it was clear why Skating Polly can pack venues thousands of miles from home.
Their setlist spanned their entire career, blending fan favourites and deep cuts with ease. Early gem “Carrots” and the near-decade-old “Stop Digging” slotted seamlessly alongside newer material from 2023’s Chaos County Line, including the swaggering “Hickey King.” A standout moment came with “Send A Priest,” performed live to rapturous effect.
The crowd was a dynamic mix of long-time devotees mouthing every lyric and curious newcomers drawn in by the band’s live reputation — and both camps were rewarded. As the night surged toward its climax, Skating Polly shifted gears with the precision of a band who know exactly how to work a room.
Fan favourites “Hail Mary,” “Camelot,” and “They’re Cheap” detonated into a frenzy, limbs flailing and voices raised, before Kelli Mayo sealed the night with a stage dive worthy of their reputation. Surfing across the crowd, she embodied the band’s fearless spirit — a fitting end to a performance that shook the walls of the Exchange.
@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
