As The Go! Team take the stage to a sold-out show, lead singer Ninja announces ‘We feel like a Brighton Band, even though I’m from London… We were in Glasgow last night, so we’re gonna see who’s the better crowd. Okay?’

And, amps turned up so high they’re hissing, they launch headlong into ‘T.O.R.N.A.D.O’ (the raucous opener from the new album ‘Rolling Blackouts’) and then straight into a fast, thrashy version of ‘Ladyflash’ from their first album – the crowd bouncing along enthusiastically whilst Ninja throws some crazy shapes up on stage.

On record, their unique combination of carnivalesque rhythms, singsong call-and-response vocals, samples and live instruments is a great experience. But it’s the energy of this band live that’s really impressive. Whenever this reviewer listens to them on record, my enjoyment comes from the memories of seeing them live at various festivals and venues over the last 6 years. When Ninja and co. take the stage, their tunes really seem to make the most sense.

Her intimacy with an audience and considerable stage presence stirs both band members and crowd alike into a frenzy. Not to say they can only perform their faster songs… When Chi Fukami Taylor takes over lead vocal duties, they artfully slow the tempo and even drop in a couple of slower, instrumental tracks from their second album, Proof of Youth.

The best reactions come from the well known tracks though. Whilst we recognise ‘Back Like 8 Track’ and the title track from their new album,it’s the floorfillers such as ‘The Power Is On’, ‘Bottle Rocket’ and ‘Junior Kickstart’ that get the cheers from the crowd. A sweaty, lively, riot of a gig. Go, team Go! Team.

The Go! Team
Concorde 2
Wednesday 16th February

Words and photos by Ed Isaacs