Music > Live Reviews

Astroid Boys

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

11/03/18

After seeing them a fair few times as a support band or a daytime slot at a festival, I was finally granted the privilege to witness Welsh grime-punk outfit Astroid Boys take centre stage on a tour of their own, along with The Northaze, Music Lessons and long-time friend and collaborator, Manga.

As always, Norwich was a bit too hesitant to start with The Northaze as onlookers stood around the edge, the back and mingled in the middle. Although this points towards Norwich’s issue of having a tepid attitude towards support acts, The Northaze still gave it their best shot and persevered through their performance and certainly deserved more than the response that they got.

Next, any awkwardness and separation between audience members and performers alike was instantly dispelled when Manga took to the stage and made it his mission to learn everyone’s name in the crowd – with special props to Tom and Charlie, Manga’s new-found managers. Within seconds, Manga installed the sense of community that makes live music and the punk scene something which we all cherish so closely and, at once, we all felt like we were a part of something good and something special. Manga swaggered through his set with confidence and charm, building a close rapport with the audience and felt like a part-time comedian and full-time rapper. He flicked through his setlist, nonchalantly picking what song he’d play next and in all honesty, it felt like we were watching someone who was doing what he loved.

Even though the studio was half empty (or half full, whichever way you look at it), Astroid Boys quickly came on board and roped any stragglers in to be part of the gang. It may not have been a packed-out venue, but the energy and enthusiasm at which Astroid Boys flew through their set proves that it doesn’t matter where the show is or how many is in attendance – all it takes is a solid band, with a watertight set and an audience that wants to get involved for it to be a good night. With a strong debut album and two cult-loved EP’s under their belt AB, led by Benji and Traxx, slammed through some of their biggest hits, Cheque, Dirt, Posted and Minging, which all prove to be huge contenders as grime-punk anthems. At the risk of sounding like you’re Average Joe, AB have the power to write a banger and a half and they create a sound which can only be fully appreciated when you’ve seen it live; when you’ve seen it at its absolute best.
Their excellence at defying boundaries of genre and scene is the very reason why I struggle to explain to my friends why I love them so much and why they deserve everyone’s sincere and undivided attention. Both Benji and Traxx display such skill when holding a mic and the band behind them all work and stick together like glue. They take the punk DNA that runs through the veins of grime and literalise it before your very eyes and ears – only at an Astroid Boys gig would you see hardcore kids swinging their arms and legs through a beatdown in a grime track. With songs like Foreigners, Mask and Razz off their new album, they capture that angst and energy that dwells inside you that it’s impossible to stand still at an AB gig. And don’t even get me started on a song like Dusted.

Sadly, due to shaky timings and Traxx’s vocal issues, the set had to be cut short leaving a lot more to be desired. But that’s not always a bad thing. The very reason why I always find myself clinging at every chance to see Astroid Boys live is because you always leave one of their gigs knowing that the next time you see them it’s going to be bigger and better than the last. They’re a band that go from strength-to-strength every damn time and I already can’t wait to see them again.

Do yourself a favour: take this band seriously and give them a go when they come your way.

Or as they would say: “wake up and smell the bacon”.