Boiler Shop is deep down towards the River Tyne in Newcastle, far removed from anything other than the train station, hotels and a Wetherspoons full of rowdy Geordies. The trek over requires more than a few pre-gig sharpeners to match your already large and immobile jacket choice – Hop House helped provide the insulation.
Boiler Shop is a large, airy and industrial spot. It’s the kind of place that would double up nicely as a five-a-side pitch on Fifa Street – it would be a bit sticky mind. Though it has some pricey pints on the board, the rustic concrete creates an eerie atmosphere, contrasted with a set of Primark fairy lights and a photobooth, noice.
Fat White Family were greeted by a room drunk-on-atmosphere, (and Newcy Brown Ale) hoping for an anarchic live show. Lead singer Lias strutted onto the stage with a 7-man strong outfit limbering on behind him. From the get-go, he was throwing unique shapes on stage or travelling across a sea of hands, Boiler Shop was at his every beck and call.
Fat Whites are never the same twice. This time they offered respite from the madness, in a sort of breather – an orange at half time kind of thing. South London guitarist Saul played two lonesome tracks whilst the rest of the band went off for a cig, and Lias went off to “powder his nose”. The set died a touch here, after starting so frantically it suddenly hit the brakes.
The second half kicked right back into top gear though. What followed Lias’ reemergence was a raucous display, the energy of the crowd reinvigorated in a rainfall of pint cups and cans, coincidentally topped off by ‘Is It Raining In Your Mouth?’– well it fucking is now.
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