The Wildhearts, The Ritz. 9th March 2025

I very nearly missed this. There’s been another shift in personnel at The Wildhearts HQ, this isn’t anything particular new in the ongoing dramatic rollercoaster of this bands story, but in short, tonight there’s only Ginger on stage as an original member. I’d foolishly thought then that I’d pass. Stupid I know. Thankfully I had a listen to the new record Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts on its release on Friday and, well THAT’S why I’m here. Cynics might’ve thought that their last record, 21st Century Love Songs was an outlier in their later day discography, but it turns out it was just marking a resurgence in their power. That record did feature CJ, Danny and Rick, but the new release is recorded by tonights line up and it’s fucking brilliant. So my apologies aside, how do they sound live? Hang on we’ll get there. Seeing as I’m a bit last minute I figured I’d miss the support, but karma seems to be looking after me and as I walk in to a very busy Ritz (although upstairs is closed), I’m hit with a wall of organ fed, saxophone wrapped, riff heavy boogie rock and or roll with the snake hipped Jim Jones. Maracas are shaken and speaker stacks scream with distorted  delight. Apparently the lad kicking shit out of drums is a stand in, you wouldn’t know it, they are tight! Bloody good fun too and possibly the perfect warm up for what’s to come. Even if the miserable bastard in front of me says they’re shite. Honestly some people should shut the fuck up. Anyway where was I, oh yeah, perfect warm up. Nothing quite prepares you though. Not when The Wildhearts hit you with ‘Suckerpunch’ right out of the gates. Fuck me those drums sound good. ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’ follows and it’s instant carnage. The pit surges. Big lads crowd surf. Absolutely glorious. Then it’s time for the new stuff, ‘Maintain Radio Silence’ is first. Ginger says it’s his favourite and it’s a good call. Channelling Lemmy on the verses it gets more melodic in the chorus and twists like every great Wildhearts song should. Outside the new, there’s an effort to cover every era so we get ‘The Jackson Whites’ from Chutzpah and ‘Diagnosis’ from Renaissance Men with Ginger sensibly shedding his leather jacket as roadhouse blues fuses with anthem rock and a punk snarl. Ginger’s up on the monitors basking in the adulation as the pit goes mental and one lad finds himself in danger of getting dragged out for clearly being out of control and pissing those around him off, which happens moments later as the band rip into ‘Vanilla Radio’, complete with pyro! It’s then back to the new stuff with ‘Troubadour Moon’. It’s more melodic foot tapping classic rock than rib shattering swagger but it’s a good tune and provides a nice calming moment in the madness. I’d hoped we’d get ‘Splitter’ from 21st Century Love Songs but they opt instead for ‘Sleepaway’. To be fair this probably fits better in the set. Whenever Ginger mentions the new album I get cheers in my left ear and groans in the right. I guess you can’t please everyone, but why come to a gig and expect them to just play old stuff, I’ve never understood that mentality. ‘Failure is The Mother of Sucess’ is a brilliant song too, a thunderous start makes way for Pistols riffs, 70s flare rock solos and multiple key changes. This would be a whole EP for most bands. Its stadium rock coda of “You took a lot of knocks to get where you are today” is beautiful arm swaying stuff. ‘I’ll Be Your Monster’ doesn’t get the love it should. Clearly not everyone’s smashed the new album like I have and there’s quite a bit of standing around, although it might be that everyone is knackered. Perhaps though they just want ‘Everlone’. This really is a monster and I need a new head by the end. ‘Chutzpah’ matches ‘Caffeine Bomb’ for pace as it starts and for a minute I’m thinking I’d rather have the later. That said I think I’ve heard that hundreds of times at every Wildhearts gig I’ve ever been to, so maybe it’s time to let go. ‘Chutzpah’ is also a more complex song as it spirals down a myriad of paths, including some indulgent Slash-esque noodling. It does feel like a set closer. It’s not though, just the teaser into the encore. ‘Inglorious’ reminds me I need to give Fishing For Luckies a listen, it’s been too long. I may also need to find a neck brace. Seriously I might’ve done some damage. ‘Dislocated’ then aptly pushes us dangerously close to curfew. But they time it perfectly to squeeze one more in and unleash another classic, tearing through ‘My Baby is a Headfuck’ that leaves the room in a puddle of joy. So, I’ve already alluded to attending tonight being a good call, but just to be clear The Wildhearts with just Ginger still sounds like The Wildhearts and they put on helluva show. Have a listen to the new record too if you’ve not already. Your ears will thank you, but you might soon be jointing me looking for a neck brace.