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A perfect warm summer night in Adelaide, what else would you want to do but go and see one of punk rocks finest Lagwagon in action. And the Adelaide punters didn’t let them down, by showing up in force, for what promised to be a great show. Having heard the news that Chris (Big Bitch) Flippen had been denied entry to the country, fuck you immigration, and Lindsay (Wagon/Little Bitch) McDougal taking on the guitar duties I was a little worried that the quality of the set might struggle, however this couldn’t have been further from the truth.

First up was Third Time Lucky. I think this is the 2nd time I’ve seen these guys open a show, maybe next time they’ll impress me.

Next up was The Brews. Ive seen these guys open many a punk show, probably about 20 times, and everytime I see them I reckon they get better and better and tonight was no exception. They have gone from a pretty amateur trashy punk band to a band that has great timing and melodies and if the reception they received from the home crowd is anything to go by they may have a successful future.

Then it was time for everyone had waited for Lagwagon. The boys hit the stage lead by their charismatic front man Joey Cape sporting a sensational moustache. There were hundreds of disgusting tashes in the crowd being movember (none better than Doona and Jets), but Joey was quick to point out that his was no fad but a lifestyle choice. The Wagon launched straight into an opening bracket of Island of Shame, Making Friends, Dischords and Violins, which had the crowd going mental and set the temperature in the room through the roof.

Any concerns that the quality of the music would suffer without Big Bitch was quickly quashed as Lindsay dominated the lead guitar spot and even added some classic moves of his own. I used to consider Chris Cheney the best guitarist in Australia, but after hearing that Lindsay mastered a fair chunk of Lagwagons back catalogue in just 3 hours his title might be under threat.

Lagwagon powered through an awesome, best of, set including Wind in Your Sail (dedicated to Tom (Chet) Crease), Coffee and Cigarettes, Errands, Dividers and Heartbreaking Music. One of the highlights of the night came when crowd member Adam/Jesus asked Joey to play Never Stops to which Joey replied you want it you play it, and so he did. Adam got on stage, strapped on Lindsays guitar and absolutely nailed one of Lagwagons classic songs.

Lagwagon finished the main set with the classic trio Sleep, Razor Burn and Mr Coffee which had the crowd chanting for more. In the short break a massive circle pit opened up and the Lagwagon chant filled the room. Joey returned to stage for an acoustic start to Alien 8, before being joined by the rest of the band for a flying finish, followed by their cover of Brown Eyed Girl before finishing the show in style with May 16.

You know its a good show when a band can miss some of your favourites, Stokin the Neighbours and Sick notable absentees, and you still walk out thinking it was the show of the year. The worst thing about the end of a Lagwagon show knowing it’s the longest time till the next time they are here, hopefully it’s not too long.

Set List:

Island of Shame
Making Friends
Dischords
Violins
Black Eyes
Give it Back
Wind In Your Sail
After you my Friend
Falling Apart
Never Stops
Coffee and Cigarettes
Errands
Dividers
Heartbreaking Music
Automatic
To All My Friends
Coconut
Sleep
Razo Burn
Mr Coffee

Alien 8
Brown Eyed Girl
May 16

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE