Stiff Little Fingers performing their Down To The Bone Tour at Rock City Nottingham on Wednesday 14th March 2018.


Images and review by Kevin Cooper

Belfast 70s punk rockers Stiff Little Fingers strode on to the stage to abundant cheers from their loyal fans at Rock City last night, and in true form the crowd stood to attention ready to embrace a night of nostalgia.

Delivering a set list that included their must play tunes as well as some re-introduced songs; they opened with the brilliant Wait And See. With front man Jake Burns’ fantastic and melodic voice still on point, he led breathlessly into Nobody’s Hero, a song that discusses political conflict and taking control in true punk style.

Gotta Get Away, a song usually left to close the set or the encore, came early and was the first of the full bloodied sing alongs for which the crowd needed no prompting. Rampaging through their set with the songs that they delivered with absolute passion, Tilting At Windmills was classic Stiff Little Fingers.

There was plenty of banter from the avuncular Burns as usual and his stories provided the between song entertainment. And with the band bringing their sound right up to date with crisp drumming from Steven Grantley, brilliant bass playing from Ali McMordie and the twin guitars from both Burns and Ian McCallum, they have an authentic punk sound that is best heard live.

The night continued with the distinctive guitar and drums on songs such as Barbed Wire Love and for Just Fade Away McMordie leapt into the air to kick it all off. There was the climatic closing duo of Tin Soldiers and Suspect Device, before they brought the evening to an end with the epic Johnny Was, which was followed by Alternative Ulster.

Delivering a tight set list, Stiff Little Fingers still have plenty to say. Definitely the best punk band around since The Clash, they are veterans that are still at the top of their game.