Sweat, Singalongs & Maggie the Dog: A Wildhearts Gig Like No Other

February 18, 2024 rocknews

There’s only one thing better than a Wildhearts gig, and that’s when you didn’t even know they were playing until a week before. When I say Wildhearts, what I actually mean is Ginger and a few mates playing Wildhearts songs. This was made even more special as it was an intimate venue. Seeing The Wildhearts playing Rock City is amazing, but up close and personal like tonight is so much better.

As the band took to the stage, Baz Francis, the support from tonight and now an honorary Wildheart for the night, starts to read from a scroll. “When I say Scroll it’s actually a poster, but you get the idea.”

“Now that I’ve changed and the rest have all stayed Well, why do I feel so confused?

Some of the best of me plans have been laid And some of me best moments used”

Out steps Ginger from the shadows and launches into “Geordie in Wonderland.” Instantly, Every word, every note, sung back with the fervor of a well-rehearsed choir – a testament to Ginger’s songwriting mastery, crafting anthems that demand participation.

Every Wildhearts gig should start this way. I’ve said it many times, the art of songwriting is crafting a song that you have to sing along to, and Ginger is the grand master.

The rest of the band consisted of Ben Marsden ( Now playing with The Wildherts) & Carol Hodge, the second support band for tonight.

We were joined by a celebrity in the form of Maggie the dog. The band threw the ball out into the audience for her to fetch. Ginger asked the audience to howl instead of clapping to freak her out.

There was no setlist tonight. After each song, Ginger asked us to call out a song, and the one he managed to pull from the noise got played.

This was a night of pure joy, with the band and audience working as one. We were treated to so many classics like “29 x The Pain,” “Sky Babies,” “The Miles Away Girl,” and “TV Tan.”

At the end of the night, Ginger wished us well and “May all our babies be born naked.”