Review – The Menzingers w/ Prince Daddy & The Hyena & Gladie, Exchange, Bristol, February 2nd 2024

Having last played in Bristol in June 2023, tonight The Menzingers returned with new album Some of it Was True in (their first proper since 2019’s Hello Exile). They had their work cut out for them to warm up a frozen crowd, but the weather proved no match for their unique brand of nostalgia-tinged punk rock anthems.

First up, Gladie, a 5-piece outfit from Philadelphia. Their crunchy riffs fit right in and were well-received by the packed crowd, energetic drumming tying together a three-guitar attack, with Augusta Koch’s introspective lyrics vocals soaring perfectly over the top to get the show off to a flying start (definitely check out their 2022 release Don’t Know What You’re In Un til You’re Out).

New York’s Prince Daddy & The Hyena took the stage next. Perhaps more of an acquired taste, but you can’t fault their energy or stage presence, and they seemed genuinely chuffed at the largely positive reception. Their brand off pacey, pop-tinged alt rock wouldn’t sound out of place on an early 2000’s teen-coming-of-age movie soundtrack (your mileage may vary), but it did the job in keeping the energy up in the room before giving way to the main attraction of the evening.

Taking the stage to Dire Straits’ iconic Walk of Life, The Menzingers wasted no time launching into their 90-minute set, delighting the crowd with opener Hope is a Dangerous Little Thing (also the first track on the new album). Guitarist and co-vocalist Tom May fed off the crowd, bouncing around in compliment to Greg Barnett’s more stoic, laid-back performance.

The banter was kept relatively light (stopping briefly to acknowledge the classic Sunday roast and a previous Bristol performance playing to 2 people in a pub), preferring to treat the crowd to anthem after anthem – 21 songs in total by my count. Although only America You’re Freaking Me Out and Anna made the cut from Hello Exile, the seminal On the Impossible Past was well-represented, particular highlights being Good Things and The Obituaries. New album tracks fit in amongst it all well, with the crowd singalong emphatically to title track Some of it Was True and There’s No Place in This World for Me.

The band ‘closed’ the set with the title track from 2019’s After the Party, returning shortly after for a 2-song encore, When I Get Home I’m Not talking to Anyone and true closer Casey, ensuring everyone forgot about the cold and went home happy.

Words by Ryan Dawson

Photos by Craig J Simmonds Media

Craig Simmonds

info@cjs-media.co.uk | + posts

Role: Photographer / Reviewer

I’m a photographer and reviewer who can also do portraits, band shoots, and video.

Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Interviews and Touring

First attended gig: Thea Gilmore at Townhall in Cheltenham, in 2014.

First gig shot: Underground Festival at Gloucester Guildhall, in 2017.

Dream gig: My most unrealistic dream gig would be to see The Beatles, but I’d also love to see The Kinks play live.

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