Gentleman’s Dub Club may originate from Leeds, but they consistently turn Bristol into a welcome home party. The Dub brothers, charged with energy, took the stage to a raucous Bristol welcome during their recent visit in March.
Since then, we’ve been treated to their 7th album, “On A Mission,” setting the stage for a party vibe at the packed O2 Academy. The floor is a sea of smiles and waving arms from the start. Sirens wail, red lights flash, and Jonathan Scratchley breaks into “Emergency.”
On special nights like this, the balcony at the O2 literally bounces for special bands giving extraordinary performances. The vibe encapsulates the energy of a St Paul’s Carnival street party confined within four walls.
Bristol connections continue with the latest single, “High Hopes,” featuring hometown vibes from Bristol-based songstress Eva Lazarus & producer extraordinaire Selecta J-Man, earning a massive pop from the crowd.
Notable tracks from the latest GDC masterpiece include “Gone,” exuding a beautifully cheery attitude towards challenging relationships, and the album opener, “Sugar Coated Lies.” Although the new drop is in its infancy in GDC’s extensive catalog, the crowd singing back the tracks in full voice must have warmed the band’s hearts.
The crowd, assembled for a complete GDC experience, refused to leave without some dub club gold dust. “High Grade” became the anthem of the evening, with every person in the old cinema complex singing a near-perfect rendition. The white-shirted and black-tied maestros on stage dropped it hard, transforming the floor of the O2 into an oscillating wave machine.
Having Kiko Bun as support was an added highlight as he joined the GDC army on stage for a roof-raising performance of “See You Next Tuesday.”
What a night—warm and positively charged. The crowd almost floated out the doors on a cushion of summer festival air into the contrasting cold and dark November night.
@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
