The Levellers on their Levelling The Land Tour with special guest, Ferocious Dog at Rock City Nottingham on Sunday 27th November 2016


Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

Helping The Levellers sell out Rock City last night on their Levelling The Land Tour, many of the capacity crowd had turned out to see local band, Ferocious Dog. Offering a sound that encompasses folk infused with rock, reggae, and Celtic vibrations, this six piece band entertained from the off.

Coming on stage to opener Gallows Justice, they greeted this diverse and excited crowd like the old friends that they are, as they delivered a set which included the reggae inspired Freeborn John, the familiar Slow Motion Suicide and the popular Layla.

Without doubt Ferocious Dog are one of the best bands on the UK folk punk circuit as they brought Rock City to life with their stomping, energetic sound. Not only are they one of the most hardworking bands around, but as their fans will testify, they are also one of the most approachable.

Celebrating 25 years of their iconic album, Levelling The Years, The Levellers played in full the album which took them from niche performers on the festival and protest circuit to the top 20 and the main stage at Glastonbury.

Opening with One Way, a protest song which still resonates today, The Levellers went on to showcase their different sounds and influences with the folk sounding ballad The Boatman and the raucous punky track Liberty Song. Also in the mix was Sell Out, a 90s indie pop song and The Battle Of The Beanfield showed that they may have been anthemic in the 90s but they’re still amazing now.

The encores were varied and vibrant, including a truly spectacular rendition of This Garden and What A Beautiful Day. The evening was brought to a close with What You Know with fiddle player Dan Booth from Ferocious Dog joining Chadwick and company on stage for a truly rousing ending.