The Rifles at The O2 Forum Kentish Town, London (11.5.2024) with The Kairos + Turncoat Billy supporting
Bit of a gathering of the Rifles clan feel to this one – being the London gig for this band from Chingford it’s considerably bigger than the others on this little tour. Their first album No Love Lost was released 20 years ago now which is relatively new in my grey-haired gig going world.
It was 10 years on in May 2014 when I first saw them at The Brook in Southampton – bought three early CDs but really haven’t seen them much. The next time was Victorious Festival in 2019, followed by The Roundhouse gig with The K’s on the bill, in October 2019, now available as a 2020 live album and during which I proposed to my now wife Sally. (It wasn’t actually while they were playing – quite loud – didn’t want to shout.) My blog of the 2019 Roundhouse gig is here.
Venue – O2 Forum Kentish Town
This has had a load of names over the years, including The Town and Country, and another London venue I never found myself when living in the suburbs. Lovely architecture – proper old school venue. It wasn’t until 1999 I made it here for Stiff Little Fingers and then a jump to October 2010 to see the return home of US exiles, The Psychedelic Furs – an exciting one after a significant break from them touring the UK. I’ve picked up again since with Gene’s Martin Rossiter farewell gig, a special Steven Tyler performance (Aerosmith) and the extraordinary Flaming Lips a few years ago.
It was at the Flaming Lips gig that failing legs (been at the cricket at Lords all day) led me to exploring the huge upstairs balcony – I didn’t have a ticket but they let me up there. It’s unreserved seating on first come first serve basis. Not sure if it always is. The front of the balcony is bench seats and further back there are some private cubicle type things and other seats. Right up at the back on either side are two small standing areas, with a bar in between and thin walkway – not always open. Tonight the rear half of the balcony isn’t opened up until later when the place fills a bit. Most people are downstairs standing but this does me tonight.
The standing downstairs here requires tactics when busy. In the past, I have found the bars often almost impossibly busy, especially when bands are not on stage – just given up queuing a few times. Maybe it’s better now. Also, the mixing desk and photographers’ pit is across the middle of the venue with steps down to the front, either side of it. If a sell out and you want to go down the front, then I would ditch the beer idea and just stay down there for the whole gig. I have found myself wandering around at the back a few times not being able to see much – hence unreserved seat upstairs does me. Total capacity is 2300.
It is handy that it is almost opposite Kentish Town tubestation. It is not so handy that Kentish Town tube station is shut and has been for a year or so, for escalator replacement and more. Due open again this summer sometime. Tufnell Park tube was my chosen alternative and a half mile walk down from there. There are plenty on pubs south of the Kentish Town tube and a big one just around the corner (The Assembly which is spacious with decent beer) but the party always looks like it’s going on at the Bull and Gate as clientele spill onto the pavement outside, almost next door to the O2. The Fred Perrys, Lambrettas and Ben Shermans are out – it’s that sort of crowd. I feel comfortable. I bet everyone here has got Paul Weller albums. Sound.
Support Bands
First up is Turncoat Billy. New on me but a pop folk guy with some guitar and beat box backing. Entertaining. First time I have ever heard someone introduce a song they have written about watching Leyton Orient FC. His last song of the short set was called Wondergoal – about the best goal never televised and scored by his mate’s dad….apparently.
Many are still in the Bull and Gate, dodging the pricey O2 drinks I suppose. (These O2 venues must have worked it out. I suppose if it’s packed later the bars will be busy. I seem to be heading increasingly for an O2 beer boycott, but not here tonight as easy access in the balcony bar. Sucker?)
Next are The Kairos. I have had them recommended by two people who know my gig trail (Cheers Tone, and Francis). Had their Better Late Than Never EP on repeat in the weeks beforehand. Brilliant. Best support band for ages and right up there in my new bands to see again soon list. They clearly enjoyed themselves.
Noisy, charismatic Scousers: indie rock/ pop with an edge. Hardcore Cast sound at times and some creative guitar antics from front man Tom Dempsey. Yup – a winner. Here’s one of theirs I recorded on the trusty pocket zoom at is on my YouTube channel: Better Late Than Never.
Bring on The Rifles
The Rifles open with the very familiar She’s Got Standards, from the first album. The band have loads of room on stage – a simple set up – no gimmicks – they just play the songs that we want to hear. Indeed the setlist leans heavily on the first two albums No Love Lost and the Great Escape. A reflective tour.
The Great Escape title track and Peace and Quiet from the first album are the standout songs for my ears from the earlier part of the set, along with that opening number.
About an hour in there is an acoustic section of three songs, with Joel Stoker and Lucas Crowther being left to their own devices on stage in the smoke. These guys are what start The Rifles off and two decades on everyone’s still enjoying it.
Main man Joel Stoker has a solo album and has been doing some dates – I haven’t caught one yet.
The final song of the main set is The Rifles anthem Local Boy – of course it’s the best eh. I’m glad I made the trip up to London for this. It does feel like a big local gig more than ‘a London gig’. Happy faces – well maybe not those being told to calm down and get off the seats over on the left of the balcony.
A two song encore and it’s all over. Under and Over and another poppier anthem Romeo and Julie.
We file out onto the street. Cheers of woah oh ohoh ohhh.
Gigs with Ivan 