Full disclosure: I am unapologetically obsessed with Sticky Fingers and therefore this review is completely biased, rendering it invalid. Please continue reading and give them a listen, they’ll teach you How To Fly.
Clasping a beer as big as my torso, inhaling second hand blunt, and surrounded by bucket hats, long hair and Aussies. O2 Brixton Academy was the perfect setting for a STIFI gig. It could only have been bettered by being outside... This was rectified by a kindly gentleman who, before the performance had even started, handed me a small lavender pot plant to look after- not the only oddity at this show. It is very rare to see lighters, topless girls and hundreds of people on shoulders at British indoor gigs. Or am I just attending the wrong gigs?
Paddy Cornwall’s muffled Aussie drawl, Freddy Crabs in his shorts and nothing else, Dylan Frost’s tartan suit, the patterned carpets beneath the sweating, crunchy, filthy performers, Sticky Fingers has a style and swagger like no other band. Their website bio perfectly sums them up (kudos to the author): “If the Clash, Pink Floyd and Arctic Monkeys are three beads of sweat that meet rolling down your back, Sticky Fingers are there licking it up.”
Their impressively catchy, flavoursome psych-rock songs obviously caressed the souls of each and every audience member. Gold Snafu glowed, with everyone chanting the La La La La La Laa Laa Laaa refrain and dancing with no qualms. Within the crowd I felt accepted and part of something, a Bootleg Rascal movement. Each song was met with a roar of approval. Beaker Best’s drumbeats bolstered the melodies and pretty much every audience member sung along as loudly and proudly as they possibly could.
Frost’s shattering harmonica solo during Yours To Keep made the already emotional song completely devastating. The wail of the harmonica caused an epidemic of goose-bumps, the audience whooped in reply, the song holding space and time still and holy.
The encores, of course, did not disappoint. Cyclone (unfortunately not on Spotify) stunned the audience. Seamus Coyle and Frost’s acoustic synergy and carefree singing reiterated the band’s raw talent and ability.
To top it, Sticky Fingers then brought on their energetic support acts/special guests, True Vibenation, for an awesome, full-bodied second encore, a fantastic closing. Already amazing songs were amplified by the added horns and voices, an unreal conclusion.
