The Rifles at Papillon, Southampton (on 28.3.2026) with Owen Hackett supporting.
Great venue this. My third visit (my venue blog here gives more detail). One of my favourite places to see a band at the moment. We get in shortly after doors open and head straight for the length of bench seat that is front left against the wall, just to give the legs a rest until the main band comes on. Yes, I don’t mind admitting I am struggling…but we got here. Knee trouble.
A couple of ales on tap catch my eye, from Southampton’s Unity Brewing Company: Only the Sea and Conflux, both of which I sample before The Rifles appear.
I bump into a guy from my local record shop and he explains what a big Rifles fan he is and that he knows keyboardist Deano. I mentioned that I proposed to my wife at a London Rifles gig. Half an hour later he points Deano (Dean Mumford) in our direction and he comes over for a chat.
Support tonight is Owen Hackett, solo and also acoustic this local guy in his mid 20s is described as indie folk. Sounds good and a fitting support for tonight’s band. There is a lot of excited chatter while he’s playing. It’s not surprising I guess – not long after the doors opened and there are a lot of groups of old friends in here. Owen deserves another live listen.
The Rifles appear at about 9.30pm, in the gloom. Goodness it’s dark but hey it’s atmospheric dark … and terrible for a photo.
Three of the five Rifles make up this ‘unplugged’ version of the band: Joel Stoker, main vocals plus guitar; Lucas Crowther, main guitar plus vocals and aforementioned Deano Mumford on keyboards and back centre stage…even darker back there.
This alternative way to hear these songs has been prompted by the recent release of their Unplugged Album Volume 2, following on from their first unplugged volume in 2017. From listening to a few people outside after and in the gents they hadn’t read the ads or someone else got their tickets, because they came for a full band show and were missing the bass and drums. Most seem delighted with what’s on offer and it really is an up close and personal gig.
The Great Escape, She’s The Only One and Robin Hood stand out in the early park of the set. The acoustic set aids the singalong approach from most of the audience down in the main front section at least.
There’s a solo slot for Deano and he delivers the Madness tune, It Must Be Love, by his own admission tainted by a bottle of red wine in the pub over the road. I understand from chats that Deano plays with Suggs on Suggs’ solo tours.
Peace and Quiet is another favourite (their first official single release, 22 years ago), captured here in my rather dark video. (Link is to my YouTube channel.) The songs roll by. This is easy listening and melodic and more so as an acoustic set.
I’m a bit taken aback when Deano tells our tale of proposal to the audience at one song break, pointing in our direction – cheers Deano – he remembered the detail.
A great finish with Local Boy (surely their best song) (Official video YouTube) and Romeo and Julie. That’s it and we are off out into the rain. Glad I made it.
Gigs with Ivan 