The very first show of their UK leg of the Europe tour, the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets exploded back onto the British music scene in the bowels of the Birmingham O2 Academy. The tour follows the release of the band’s 6th studio album ‘Fronzoli’, an album I had been familiarising myself with since its release in November last year.

The wait was certainly not disappointing; as the band emerged onto the stage, they revealed that they were all wearing a matching boxing shorts / football top combo, reminding us that the shenanigans they are known for were still very much alive and well. Opening with my favourite track off the new album ‘Pillhouse (Papa Moonshine)’, the crowd was eased into a more relaxed – and rowdy – state. 

Soon enough, a giant mosh pit had opened up in the crowd, just in time for some of their classic hits such as ‘Cornflake’ and ‘Cubensis Lenses’. Try as I might to take some footage of the gig, the crowd was revved up now, so I forfeit any attempts at filming and jumped into the pit myself. Major hits from the new album such as ‘Nootmare’, ‘(I’m a Kadaver) Alakazam’, and ‘Hot! Heat! Wow! Hot!’ were exceptionally well received. 

I was adorned with bruises and covered in sweat, but the performance was on a new level – every instrument worked in harmony to create this storm of noise and signature sound. It felt messy and muddled whilst concurrently feeling intentional and purposeful; I don’t know a single band that is quite as successfully experimental with their music as the Crumpets. Stand-out moments for me were a member of the crowd giving singer Jack McEwan a tomato during ‘Found God in a Tomato’, and the band setting up a small stool and microphone for a plastic tortoise – for some reason.

After the expected “early finish” the band re-emerged back on stage in a full costume change; they were now all dressed as grandmas (frocks, wigs, and all) in homage to their album cover. They proceeded to end the show with the crushing track ‘Hymn for a Droid’, closing the gig in a whirlwind of punchy riffs, sweaty moshes, and buzzing fans. 

The Crumpets never disappoint with their live shows, always bringing their A-game in musical craftsmanship, crowdwork, and completely outrageous randomness; it is not a gig I will soon forget, not in the least because of all the bruises. Though ‘Fronzoli’ was released a little over 3 months ago, I find myself eagerly awaiting new music, then finding myself more disappointed at how long I will have to wait. Until that point, I will satisfy my impatience with memories of one of the best live gigs I’ve been to.

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