Bristol O2 Academy, 28th March 2022
Before this gig, these guys have been a band that to me, have exclusively been the soundtrack to student pissups, skate videos and YouTube montages of people hurting themselves. And now, here, in front of a packed venue, stood ‘The Chats’ in all their aussie, DIY glory. Everything about this band screams no bullshit, and people were here for it.
Despite being welcomed by a flying drink, frontman Eamon seemed pretty in-tune with the room from the offset, which seemed to have the crowd forgive his casual disses to the UK, and the crowd themselves. It felt like a night at the pub with the boys, only it’s the most rowdy pub you’ve ever been to, oh, and everything is on fire. There was only one rule. “Don’t be a cunt”.
Once you’re past the pretty-much illegible shouting, the band’s appeal seems to shine through. A do-it-yourself, no-shits-given band who play every gig as if it’s in their mum’s garage, and it works. It’s a party.
Every song seems to be some kind of cheat code that enables an entire room of people to move uncontrollably. Clothes went flying, along with cups, bottles, hats, and probably the odd stray animal. Slap some strobes over the top, and you’ve got yourself a sweaty party that could best be described as ‘your neighbour’s worst nightmare’.
A set full of songs about footy, smoking, gettin’ drunk with the boys and causing trouble with the cops, are about Australian as it gets. Without sounding too poetic though, it’s freedom.
The crowd were trouble before the band even appeared, but all in good sport. Though I stayed clear of the mosh-pit, it was easy to see, that between every mullet and vest top, there were smiles for miles. Something was being done right here.
I hope I haven’t sounded cynical. This band clearly brings the party, and their casual attitude to gigging, music and crowd-interaction was genuinely refreshing in an industry that’s plagued with pretentious musicians, tiktoks, high-budget production and pyrotechnics, I think the world could use more of The Chats.
Go and see them, just remember, bring zero shits to give and you’ll have fun.
@whatishayden 
@lgerrard.photography
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