It’s a cold, dark night, the kind that’d keep most folks indoors. But inside Thekla, it’s a whole different story—a summer festival vibe so thick you can practically taste it. The dogs are in town, and that means you better dance like your very existence hangs in the balance. These guys, born and bred on the festival circuit, are renowned for conjuring the most electric atmospheres on any damn lineup. Back in Bristol, for their last gig of the year aboard that iconic iron boat, these dogs were on a mission to throw one hell of a party.
Fronted by the charismatic Felix Lindsell-Hales, whose vocal chops and guitar wizardry slice through the air like a musical shaman, The Dogs boast a lineup as eclectic as their sound. Olly Jenkins on sax, Gareth Thomas blowing the trumpet, and Peter Richards commanding the bass trombone—each one, a maestro in their own damn right. Jacob Prescott lays down the bass foundation, while James Sherwood’s rhythmic sorcery on the drums propels their sonic odyssey.
Summer festival memories fade and In the more cramped quarters of the city’s nautical gig spot, the party vibe gets even more intense. The crowd, fervent as hell, bounces from start to finish, turning that boat into a vessel riding a wild swell in the North Sea.
The 15-song set? Non-stop, my friend. The band throws their unique brass-house-soul sound at us, from old gems like “She Makes Me Feel,” “Bad Taste,” and “Arch Enemy” to 2022’s “This Ain’t Over” and “Headline Glow,” all the way to the freshest cuts, “Tigers In The Living Room” and “Komodo Kimono.” It’s a showcase, a testament to the sheer quantity and quality these dogs churn out.
The peak moment, the one that elicited the loudest roar, was for “Run These Streets.” You know, the track that lit up Netflix’s Sex Education. By then, the crowd had melted into one pulsating entity, bouncing and singing in absolute synchrony.
This band, they’re not just musicians; they’re cultural provocateurs, pushing boundaries and etching an unforgettable mark on the sonic landscape. They’re damn likable, and they’re solidifying their status with every beat.
📷📝 @bristolnomad_gigphotography
@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
