The Amazons | Moth Club, London | 16/08/23 (Live Review)

The Amazons triumphantly tore up the Moth Club ahead of a huge homecoming, proving why they’re one of the best rock bands around, playing tirelessly as if every show is their last.

★★★★★★★★★☆

“We’ve been trying to figure out what we are now” exclaims frontman Matt, commanding a tightly squeezed room full of people sweating profusely yet somehow bursting with energy, while guitarist Chris leans against the golden walls about ready to collapse of exhaustion.

The Amazons, a (now) three-piece and the self-proclaimed ‘last gang in town’, are gearing up for a huge homecoming to the main stage at Reading Festival. After becoming ones to watch by NME and BBC 6 years ago, the band have been leading the rock revival, and it’s almost time to show the world how far they’ve come – on the main stage.

As tradition goes, you can’t play a massive slot at a festival without tearing up a small bar somewhere and calling it a warm-up. Cue the 320-capacity Moth Club, an ex-serviceman bar turned concert venue, selling out in less than 5 minutes. Those who managed to get a ticket were about to witness a glimpse into the future of one of the most exciting British rock bands.

Matt, Chris, Joe and Elliot rose to notoriety immediately with their 2017 self-titled debut, the highest-charting rock debut since Royal Blood three years prior, featuring massive indie-favourites Junk Food Forever, Black Magic, In My Mind and a string of others. Since then, they’ve released two more full-length albums (both of which hit the top 10 charts), crafted a unique IPA, had several haircuts, toured the world and launched kits for Reading FC.

In celebration of a homecoming to Reading Festival, they announced an intimate gig at the Moth Club, joking to the BBC ‘we just wanna play legendary and tiny venues in London’.

Moth Club birthed a new lease of life for an ex-serviceman bar, originally opening in the early 1900’s, and finds itself nestled away down a side street not far from Hackney Central. What was once a place of respite for veterans, is now anything but – creating a 320 venue perfect for memorable intimate sets from bands and apparently, the occasional comedy night.

The night started promptly an hour or so after the doors opened, with no support act, as the band emerged triumphant from the crowd – like a group of boxers entering the ring. Without any nonsense, we were immediately into the opening of Junk Food Forever to the crowd’s instant delight, the faces of everyone lighting up as they sang back every word instinctively.

As it came to a close, we bounced straight into the lead single from album no.3, Bloodrush, a track that’s only recently had its first birthday – but slotting into the setlist as a fan-favourite all the same. What followed was 25, a euphoric guitar bop which has developed its own identity on live stages since releasing in 2019. Matt uttering the words “give me a kiss, Chris” becomes synonymous with the opening of an extended guitar solo that takes centre stage.

From this point onwards, the set got darker, grittier and noticeably heavier. Stacking up Ultraviolet, Ready For Something and In My Mind next to each other formed somewhat of a riff Big Mac. Ultraviolet featured an extended outro, transitioning into where Junk Food Forever left off earlier – the four walls immediately filling with noise.

Moments like these were when (new) temporary drummer, Jack Hope, from alt-rock band Pale White really showed his power with the sticks.

Ready For Something, another new one, really shone in a live setting, with the band completely in their element – Chris particularly flexing his movement on a glimmering electric guitar. In My Mind also never fails to disappoint – a track that’s practically designed for rooms big and small.

After a brief tribute to previous drummer, Joe, who departed in 2022, the band slid into Georgia – an underrated finale track from Future Dust. It was jam-central, including another extended outro, breathing new life into a track through a live setting.

Watch our video of Georgia on Instagram here.

“Are you still with The Amazons today?” yells lead singer, Matt, as the band shimmered into the silky smooth opening of Doubt It. Like other performances, it’s become a staple to mix in a cover, this time a homage to Led Zeppelin with In My Time Of Dying. The energy unlocked some kind of animalistic state in the band, and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

It wasn’t long before The Amazons amped things up once more, this time throwing Mother, Fuzzy Tree and then Black Magic together for the big finish. You’ve got a three-course meal right there, but there’s no greens, this is a festival, remember? But, you’re gonna eat it all up.

Sh*t got really wild – a real-rowdy festival setlist being played in a sweat box in the back streets of London. Mother, arguably one of the heaviest tracks of album no.2 kicked off, with Chris grabbing a fiery orange guitar, the Royal Blood esque riffs fighting its way to the back of the room as people glowed with sweat. My rings slipped off as we jumped, entirely covered in sweat too, I could barely use my phone.

A crowd member even brought the band some water, quickly getting us to move it away from the pedals, imagine the chaos. As the track built, the band looked completely in-tune with their surroundings, either that or they were regretting outfit choices as things heated up.

Mother closed with something new, embarking on a Pink Floyd style guitar jam, which was a joy to listen to and should be released as a single on streaming services. Trust us.

Up next was Fuzzy Tree, jumping straight in without a beat. What’s become a favourite was once just an extension to Mother, now it sits on the festival stages smugly. It’s gnarly, deafening and fun – what more could you want? Before the big finish, members of the band sink into the walls of the venue, an attempt to combat the sweat dripping from their hair, before throwing their instruments back into the fire.

We all knew what was next, the thunderous riffs of Black Magic. Upon hearing those first notes, the room went nuts in the way you’d imagine. All 320 people jumping in sync, commemorative posters being held to the heavens and beer christening then in return.

Matt, Chris and Elliot soaked in every second, every face and every breath – stepping into the light and becoming one with the crowd. Matt particularly leaning into the front row. Close to de-hydration and looking physically drained behind the eyes, they played like it was their last show – putting everything on the table. Picture this, infectious energy deflecting from person-to-person, each echoing a blistering riff, while witnessing a landmark moment in a band’s career.

With Matt announcing just 20 seconds to go until the end, he summoned the crowd and riled them together fit for a mosh pit to end on a high.

If this was to be a true festival warm-up, you’ve got to cause some chaos. Into yet another extended outro, the boys jammed tirelessly before throwing themselves into the main riff to a reception of a bouncing room – a room that couldn’t contain the sea of people bursting between the walls.

And when they left the stage (overwhelmed, sweating and clothes worn), the audience formed an opening, holding arms out to reward a stellar show from one of the best indie rock bands around right now.

The gratuitous smiles on each of their faces as they walked through the crowd said it all – and proved, they surely deserve everything to come.

:: Round-Up ::

What unfolded on this night was much more important than a homecoming warm-up, it felt like the beginning of something new, in a room not much different to where it all began, while simultaneously unlocking a new door before a celebration at Reading. Quite frankly, it’s in our top 3 concerts of 2023, not far behind Kid Brunswick’s monster set at the OMEARA.

If you had tickets, you will remember the energy in that room, so tightly contained, it was electric and special.

The Amazons – we can’t wait for you to headline stadiums, and return to these smaller venues to tear it up once more, because we’ll be there.

See full setlist on Setlist.fm. Were you at the show? Check out our Insta and TikTok for videos, or share your own with us.