Live Review: The Menzingers & PUP - SWX, Bristol 31/01/2018

A sold out SWX awaited the Menzingers for their ‘After The Party’ tour, and to kick off into full swing, with Cayetana taking to the stage first with a warm reception from the eager audience. Producing a set full of riffs and catchy lyrics mixed in with a few jokes about Bristol, the three piece from Philadelphia won over the Bristol crowd in an instant.

Next up to take the stage were Canadian punk rockers, PUP, a band who know the only way is up for them now. With confidence from the off, the band swiftly get the crowd are off their feet singing along to their infectious punchy lyrics. PUP are making massive waves in the scene making loud music that you’ll either love or hate, and we love it.

The Menzingers take the roof off SWX from the start, bouncing onto stage and breaking into ‘Tellin Lies’ sending the crowd into a frenzy of dancing, finger pointing and chanting along to every word. Every song draws the crowd in more, along with lead singer Greg Barnett declaring his love for Bristol at every opportunity. Throwing ‘I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore’ into the set just before the encore led everyone in the crowd into a state of being tired, sweaty but wanting more. After leaving the stage, the chants for more are louder than I’ve ever heard, with the band running back onto stage to finish their raucous set with tour title track ‘After The Party’, a cover of ‘Straight To Hell’ by The Clash. Closing with ‘In Remission’ accompanied by streamers on the front of the stage being fired into the crowd and ending the night in such a picturesque way. The Menzingers know how to rock with a Bristol crowd, what a way to kick off the first few dates of their UK tour!

Photography by Ami Ford