The Brudenell Social Club once again proved why it’s one of the UK’s finest live venues, hosting a sold-out, sweaty Sunday night with Newcastle’s mighty Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (Pigs x7). A chaotic, electrifying show unfolded, full of noise, humour, and an incredible sense of community between band and crowd.
Kicking the night off were Split Dogs, a female-led punk/garage rock outfit who didn’t waste a second making their presence felt. Armed with adrenaline-fuelled punk energy, slashing guitars, and ferociously raw vocals, they hit the crowd square between the eyes. Their set was a welcome explosion of grit and immediacy, perfectly setting the stage for the sonic assault that followed.
When Pigs x7 took to the stage, they quickly showed why they’re rightly regarded as one of the best live bands on the circuit right now. Touring off the back of their latest album Death Hilarious, they delivered a relentless, full-throttle set drawn from both new material and fan favourites. Tracks like “The Wyrm,” “Mr Medicine,” and “Ultimate Hammer” kicked the night into gear, the band’s garage-punk-meets-heavy-psych sound swallowing the Brudenell whole.
Frontman Matt Baty — equal parts wild-eyed preacher and mischievous ringleader — was hilarious and magnetic throughout. At one point, he mock-ranted about Download Festival not booking them, turning what could have been a gripe into a moment of infectious, self-aware humour that had the entire room laughing and cheering. Late in the set, in another touch of the band’s chaotic generosity, they crowned an audience member “Headbanger of the Night,” awarding them a hat to raucous applause.
The setlist powered through ferocious renditions of “Reducer,” “Carousel,” “GNT,” and “World Crust,” each number feeding the frenzied atmosphere. “Big Rig” and “Blockage” brought crushing riff after crushing riff, before “Collider” and the driving closer “A66” left the crowd spent but buzzing.
Throughout, the band’s visceral, sludgy-yet-urgent sound enveloped the crowd, who responded by jumping, moshing, and generally losing themselves in the glorious noise. It was a night of complete release, pure energy, and massive riffs — an incredible performance from a band at the top of their game.
In short: it was loud, it was sweaty, it was brilliant. Pigs x7 delivered the kind of night you don’t forget quickly.
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