Gig Review: NOFX / Lagwagon / Anti Flag / Comeback Kid / Get Dead / The Meffs – Hatfield Park (28th May 2023)

Get Dead © Watchmaker Studios
Get Dead © Watchmaker Studios

When I saw that this was potentially my last chance to see one of the greatest punk rock bands to exist, I knew I had to do it. Not only that, but the main support is probably one of my favourite bands in the world. I am the brother they speak of on the I Think My Older Brother Used to Listen to Lagwagon EP. The only thing, and this is totally on me: I wish I wasn’t so excited that I failed to look up anything else other than the location. At a risk of sounding old (which isn’t out of question when most of the audience were my age and up). The blazing hot sun, did I have suncream? No. Freshly cut grass, did I have antihistamines? Also no. Am I paying for it today? Yes. Was it worth it? See below.

 

Starting with a solid theme of “Fuck off, stop telling me what to do,” The Meffs had one hell of a sound for a two piece. In fact, Fat Mike even mentioned it during his own set. Great rhythm and charisma and even brave enough to throw in a cover of The Prodigy’s “Breath”, they were a great opening to the day and the crowd welcomed them with more warmth than the beating sun was blasting at us.

Get Dead © Watchmaker Studios
Get Dead © Watchmaker Studios

Get Dead have the energy of old school punk, the two step of ska and sometimes, the aggression of metal. It’s a fantastic mix. The crowd who was already suitably warmed were pushed into a new gear as frontman Sam King screamed in their faces. I say in their faces, the stage was about a mile away from the crowd. In fact, he screamed so loud in their faces his denture flew out (see pictures). Despite a chaotic and psychotic performance, they would also have a message of kindness quoting, “The most punk rock thing you can do is apologise,” before hugging and kissing a member of the crew on stage. I want to end their section by saying that the vocals are utterly fantastic.

Next up, Comeback Kid. They were the most hardcore sounding band of the day and they commanded the stage and your attention with it. A no-holds-barred performance certainly took a few of the crowd by surprise. Even more so when Andrew Neufeld walks the mile to the crowd and shoves the microphone into their sweaty faces.

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Anti Flag © Watchmaker Studios
Anti Flag © Watchmaker Studios

I have known Anti Flag for a long time but I have always missed out on seeing them. Wow. It was worth the wait. Not only are they some of the finest musicians in the punk rock scene, most notably in the bass department, their stage movement is on point. The moment they hit “This Is The End”, the crowd was sent into a fury vocalising every chord, lyric and snap of the snare. I really don’t think they’re recordings to do them justice. Not that there’s anything wrong with them of course. But the energy and skill displayed while jumping off speaker cabs and doing 720 spins when producing perfect harmonies is something short of magic. The set was completely and utterly excellent.

Now, I am a little biased here. Lagwagon are one of my favourite bands in the world. Even without Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. Yep I said it. The thing they’re probably sick of. And, as a fan their set list hit everything I could have wanted. “Violins” – check. “Mr Coffee” – check. The great cover of “Brown Eyed Girl” – check. Although I’ve seen them a fair few times now, there was something special about seeing them on such a big stage and the now-giant crowd singing along. The moment that Joey Cape dedicated the rest of the set to the headliners and the crowd cheered in appreciation; the moment Fat Mike came out and thanked the band; the moment Joey in his usual loveable-man-who-has-given-up-on-life character started singing the legendary “May 16”; you knew that this was a special night in punk rock history.

Will it truly be NOFX‘s last show in England? Who knows. There was enough jokes about rather playing Stoke-on-Trent than where they are now, so they could always come back and put their money where their mouth is? They even practiced for this set, apparently. This wasn’t completely obvious with the number of times they restarted songs or laughed at themselves trying to remember what key or chord sequence something was in. Right there, laughing at themselves was the most enjoyable thing.

Lagwagon © Watchmaker Studios
Lagwagon © Watchmaker Studios

Again, another band I’ve seen plenty of times. Tonight was different, though. It really did feel like they were enjoying themselves more so than any of the gigs I’d seen them play before. They even gave back some love towards Lagwagon just before “Soul Doubt”. The set list was a dream with everything from “The Brews”, “Hobophobic”, “Franco Un-American” and the never-ending “Theme From A NOFX Album”. No, seriously. At the end of the set, Melvin comically would leave the stage playing his accordion, only to walk back on, only ending after being dragged by from the rest of the band and crew. Everyone leaving that site was singing the shanty melody. Probably for days afterwards too. The night was so special, that someone got on stage, went onto one knee and proposed to their partner. Delicately handled by Fat Mike who exclaimed “They’ll probably break up before NOFX do!” Which gave everyone the hope they needed in their heart – maybe the band really will come back.

 

I’m pretty sure that was the takeaway thought we were meant to have from that moment. I can’t write this without mentioning the number of digs thrown towards The Offspring either. One, in particular, didn’t exactly go down well with the post-Slam Dunk crowd who the night before had embraced Dexter Holland as their headliner. “Please Play This Song on the Radio” was the song that followed, so it was in fact expertly, if accidentally, well-crafted. I’d say the entire set was. The songs were a perfect send off to the band. The “new” massive banner. Lee from Snuff joining them on stage. El Hefe going from near virtuoso to practically drunk playing within the same bar. As a fan of the band, I didn’t want anything else either.

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Photos by Watchmaker Studios

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