Live Review: Viagra Boys - O2 Brixton Academy, London 06/05/2025
Viagra Boys are a no-nonsense firecracker of a punk band that light up Brixton’s 02 Academy with an album that embraces the insanity of one of the best the genre has to offer.
If you were questioning whether Viagra Boys were big enough to make up the jump to Alexandra Palace in 2026, the 02 Academy gig from the upcoming End of the Road headliners this week in Brixton showed that they’ve got more than what it takes to make the big time; hot off the heels of their latest album, viagr aboys. They’re more than just the gimmick name too – the kind of band where you have to explain that they’re actually a band when you go and see them as someone wearing a Viagra Boys tee-shirt in the local pub pre doors found out. Any doubts were long since quashed by the time they came on for the barnstormer of Man Made of Meat – it’s a band that’s never been more confident and assured of its form.
You’ll want to be in the mosh for Viagra Boys. Brixton was bouncing from the word go, fun and rowdy. If you like bands like Amyl and the Sniffers, IDLES and Lambrini Girls you’ll find yourself right at home here – the Stockholm band have only gone from strength to strength from 2015, four albums deep on the back of Street Worms, Welfare Jazz and Cave World prior, which earned them plenty of critical acclaim – but as you’d expect this is a new album tour, and new album songs you’ll get. Slow Learner came in from Street Worms and we also got Sports towards the end of the set - the divide between the old and new was kept fresh – Slow Learner was followed by Waterboy, and then we went into Punk Rock Loser – my favourite song off Cave World, with the band very much showing they’re aware of what they are – “I ain't your average normal dude, It sure ain't glamorous, I keep things loose, I ain't your average punk rock loser, Yeah, I'm a savage, I'm really cool” – the irony that runs through their entire discography comes across as effortless, well-polished punk that has the rawness to it that makes them so energetic.
There’s something about Swedish punk bands that give them the air of confidence that most other European bands don’t have – see influences, The Hives, for one, (which Viagra Boys jokingly label as “corporate suit rock” in response to being called “punk rock losers” before squashing the beef) and Viagra Boys arrive with an air of raw tenacity. I wonder where the inspiration for Punk Rock Loser came from.
Lead singer Sebastian Murphy taunts the audience with an ode to the anti-piracy advert of yesteryear, “you wouldn’t steal a car… and you sure as hell ain’t no motherfucking thief, are you?” introduces ain’t no thief, and the crowd goes wild. Murphy knows what the crowd wants and takes the time to call for Free Palestine, simple but effective now – especially with the recent revelation that Israel’s next stage of their genocide is to starve Gaza of food, ensuring that it is crucial now more than ever more bands speak up and follow in Kneecap’s wake. There is plenty of time to poke at the current state of modern politics – saying that when Trogladyte was written it was used to critique the troglodytes of the world; but things have only gotten so much worse since then. Stage interaction is kept brief so for Murphy to spend what little time he has, speaking about these values means a lot.
The encore was two songs, short but sweet, and the crowd ate up every second. The short gig started late but was well worth the price of admission as it’s hard not to leave a Viagra Boys gig dissatisfied; even with plenty of latecomers due to Brixton’s queuing method. But even if the crowd turned up late there was still plenty to enjoy – riotous from the first set to the last, organised chaos in the best viable way. Their wit is self-deprecating, fun and energetic, enough to get the crowd on their side that don’t need much convincing to ramp up the energy. It’s as rowdy as an Amyl and the Sniffers (Viagra Boys have collaborated with Amy Taylor in the past), a Sleaford Mods or an IDLES set – and fans of the genre will find themselves right at home if you’re not already on board the Viagra Boys hype train.
Kings of Leon have cited that Can We Please Have Fun was inspired by this band; and when Kings of Leon take inspiration from your band, that’s a telltale indictment of good music based on how fantastic they are as a band.
Photography by Katie McLellan-Salisbury
Words by Miles Milton-Jefferies
