WORDS AND IMAGES PAUL EVANS
After twenty years in the game, The Go! Team remain as vibrant, energetic, and innovative as ever.
The vibrant, multi-instrumental chaos that is Brighton’s The Go! Team descends on Manchester’s New Century Hall tonight to deliver their eclectic fusion of everything from 60s soul, 70s funk, 80s hip-hop, indie rock and 1970s-inspired film soundtracks.
Formed in 2000, the bands breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, Thunder, Lightning, Strike. The album, a genre-defying, kaleidoscopic explosion of sound, fusing brassy horns, cheerleader chants, garage rock riffs and breakbeats is miraculously now 20 years old and will be played in full tonight. With its mixture of 1970s and modernist architecture New Century Hall is the perfect venue for this sonic retrospective which nostalgia and modernity.
“Panther Dash” is a frenzied instrumental opener. Instantly recognizable with its blistering guitar riffs, driving drums, a whirlwind of Melodica and harmonica and pure, unadulterated energy. The Go! Team are not a traditional band and all 7 of them are already an explosion of sound and energy at full throttle. Ian Parton, band supremo, never stopping as he marauds the stage. The multi layers of sound coming together to form a chaotic, but cohesive whole, leaving no room to catch your breath before the band’s signature track kicks in.
“Ladyflash” epitomises the band’s sound and approach. It’s a blend of jangly guitars, lively drumbeats and energetic female vocals and chants that evoke both nostalgia and modernity. For the first of many times tonight, the multi-talented band swap instruments and roles and the Infectious beats, samples from old-school TV shows mixed with a DIY spirit is hard to ignore. Ninja’s rapid-fire vocals and acrobatics, coupled with the backing harmonies from the rest of the band have the crowd swaying along and singing a reply to Ninja’s requests for them to sing along with the “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah’s”. After all these years the way the track blends sugary pop and soul hooks with gritty production still feels fresh tonight and it’s a blistering performance.
Again, it’s all change musically as vocalists and trumpet players sit out the serene and playful “Feelgood by Numbers” while Ian firstly duets on keyboards before racing to the front of the stage for harmonica duties. The song is a brief, but already much-needed moment to catch your breath. The track’s soft, tinkling piano intro filling the room, juxtaposed with driving drums and harmonica creates a peaceful yet upbeat atmosphere that evokes a sense of childhood wonder. It’s a reminder that The Go! Team aren’t just about high-energy anthems; they’re also masters of crafting subtle, joyous melodic soundscapes.
As the last notes of “Feelgood by Numbers” fade, the band launch into the FIFA 2006 stomping “The Power Is On,” a song that feels like a rallying cry. The horns blare, the drums pound and the crowd surge forward in response. Ninja’s and Ian’s performance are magnetic, commanding the audience with dynamic vocals and boundless energy. The song’s cheerleader-like chants have the entire room bouncing along, hands in the air in unison. It’s clear that The Go! Team are in top form tonight, playing with the same youthful intensity that marked the albums debut two decades ago. Following the anthemic highs of “The Power Is On”, “Get It Together” is a dizzying mix of guitars, brass and sampled beats swirling together into a sonic whirlwind, creating a wall of sound that is both exhilarating and blends seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive whole, a skill that has kept the band relevant and beloved for so many years.
The relentless pace continues with the driving beat and buoyant melodies of “We Just Won’t Be Defeated”; the thunderous and mesmerising “ Huddle Formation“ and the frenetic instrumental “Junior Kickstart”. The interplay between guitars, drums, and brass is dazzling and creates a sound that is both raw and polished. The crowd, caught up in the song’s infectious energy, clap and move along to every beat. In a rare moment of calm, things slow down with “Hold Yr Terror Close,” a beautiful, melancholic ballad that provides a stark contrast to the high-energy that preceded it. The delicate instrumentation and introspective lyrics creating a poignant atmosphere, giving the audience a chance to catch their breath and reflect before a blistering five-song finale. The energy builds again with the stunning “Mayday”, the band still feeding off the energy in the room. The infectious groove, coupled with Ninja’s commanding presence on “Apollo Throwdown,” a perfect closer to an unforgettable night.
In a world where genres are often strictly defined, The Go! Team continue to defy being pigeon-holed. Tonight’s live performance has not just been a concert; it’s been a kaleidoscope of sound that has taken us on a journey through decades of musical history, blending influences from every corner of the globe. After twenty years in the game, The Go! Team remain as vibrant, energetic, and innovative as ever. Their ability to connect with the audience, both through their music and their infectious stage presence, is a rare gift and tonight has been proof that The Go! Team are still very much a force to be reckoned with.
SETLIST
1/ Panther Dash
2/ Ladyflash
3/ Feelgood by Numbers
4/ The Power Is On
5/ Get It Together ()
6/ We Just Won’t Be Defeated
7/ Junior Kickstart
8/ Air Raid GTR
9/ Bottle Rocket
10/ Friendship Update
11/ Hold Yr Terror Close
12/ Huddle Formation
13/ Everyone’s a V.I.P. to Someone
14/ Whammy-O
15/ Mayday
16/ Grip Like a Vice
17/ Rolling Blackouts
18/ T.O.R.N.A.D.O.
19/ Keys to the City
20 / Apollo Throwdown
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I’ve loved music since forever. Graphic designer, photographer and artist at painted.papillon.smile (www.ppsdesign.co.uk)
