THE FARM @ G LIVE, GUILDFORD

Supporting the Happy Mondays on their 35th anniversary tour of their acclaimed ‘Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ album, the Liverpudlian indie dance rock band performed a short set of seven songs primarily from their debut and newest studio albums, ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Let the Music (Take Control)’ respectively.

The band, formed of Peter Hooton (vocals), Keith Mullin (lead guitar), Carl Hunter (bass), Steve Grimes (rhythm guitar), and Roy Boulter (drums) with Alex Goatly (backing vocals), boarded the ‘Groovy Train’, their 1990 chart topping single, although the sound wasn’t loud enough to hear both guitars. They then moved onto the bassy ‘Mind’; a nostalgia song about heroin that has post-punk guitar chimes of A Certain Ratio’s ‘Won’t Stop Loving You’.

The Farm released their fourth studio album last year, playing two tracks from it including the LCD Soundsystem x Herbie Hancock sounding title track ‘Let the Music (Take Control)’ and ‘Moment in Time’; a credit to them for keeping fresh material rolling out. Being long-time collaborators and friends of Mick Jones with whom they formed the Justice Tonight Collective, a charity band for Hillsborough, who they also performed alongside in 2012, the band paid tribute to the Clash with the reggae groove of ‘Bankrobber’.

Title single, ‘Love See No Colour’, from the band’s 1992 album of the same name had an infusion of Joy Division guitar alongside Hooton’s soulful vocals. They ended their set on their 1990 number 4 chart hit ‘All Together Now’ also from ‘Spartacus’; a much needed song about peace and unity, with the audience chanting along. It’s been far too long since these guys did a headline show of their own so watch this space for more.

10/04/26: The Farm @ G Live, Guildford.