The Thekla, Jan 31st 2023
Daily Fail readers need not apply.
Kid Kapichi are less of a band and more of a movement. The Hastings four piece are the tip of a sharpened spear jabbing into the heart of the UK elite.
The Beat Punkers, Ben Beetham (guitars, vocals), Eddie Lewis (bass), George Macdonald (drums) and Jack Wilson (vocals, guitars) are the personification in music form for the working class army in the UK. Fed up of being treated like excrement on the shoe of the Jacob Rees Mogg’s of this world. They are Mike the Bricklayer. They are Tina the single mum. They are us.
Arriving on stage at Bristol’s iconic music boat (Thekla) to a raucous sell out crowd for the opening night of their “Here’s What You Could Have Won” UK & European tour. The south coasters set about given us a ferocious lesson on the current social injustices of the UK, but all with their trade mark cheek and humour.
The energy in the compact nautical surroundings was something to behold. Circle pits threatening to capsize the boat. Mosh pits breaking out all over and continuous shouts of “Fck the Tories” as the sweat caked bodies of those in attendance tried to keep up with the band. The whole gig was an utterly cathartic experience.
The set was immaculate, every track you could have possibly wanted was here. Of course the new album made up the bulk, but previous bangers “Sardines”, “Glitterati” and “Violence” were brilliantly sprinkled in there as well. The tempo was pretty much unrelenting save for beautiful renditions of “Party at No10” and “Never Really Had You”.
Of the new album “New England” and “Cops and Robbers” were greeted with near riotous movement on the floor. Whilst “Super Soaker” brought literal relief to the heat as the brand brought a giant super soaker to the stage to cool the crowd down. It was all too much for bassist Eddie Lewis to take as he launched himself into the middle of the baying mob that you could see he was itching to join all night.
As KK momentarily left the stage the crowd were in no doubt what they wanted. Deafening chants of “Smash The Gaff” rang out. Had the band not returned for the encore I think that’s what the crowd may have done.
By the time the final track, 2019s, “Death Dips” belted out the crowd were ready to storm Parliament.
We might only be in February, but this gig is gonna take something special to beat it.
If Kid Kapichi are not selling out the O2 the next time they hit Bristol we’ll be gobsmacked.
Ali Fewell
The Bristol Nomad
@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
