Gig: Los Campesinos! @ SWX, Bristol
Los Campesinos! by Sonny Malhotra
Los Campesinos!’s "Mortal Joy" tour hit Bristol’s SWX on Friday, 27 September. With four of the members living along the city’s 172 bus route and a sold-out venue packed with friends and family, it felt like a triumphant homecoming. This wasn’t just another stop—it was a celebration of everything that makes Los Campesinos! so special, both on and off stage.
I’ve been hooked ever since their 2008 debut, Hold On Now, Youngster..., and never pass up a chance to see them live. But if catching my favourite band wasn’t reason enough to be excited, having one of my newer obsessions, ME REX, along for the ride made it an absolute must-see.
From the very first note, the room buzzed with a palpable energy. Both bands delivered hit after hit, with the crowd belting out every lyric. Every kick of the drum felt like the heartbeat of a venue moving and breathing as one. And just when it seemed it couldn’t get any better, they wrapped things up by 9:45, allowing everyone to head home at a reasonable hour—or, for those travelling from further afield, to catch the last train.
It’s yet another example of why Los Campesinos! have such a reputation for putting their fans first. They’re celebrated not only for their incredible live shows but also for their meticulous attention to detail—from providing gender-neutral facilities to thoughtfully planning set times around local train schedules. For the Bristol leg of the "Mortal Joy" tour, they ensured fans from nearby towns and cities like Swindon, Cardiff, and London could savour every moment without worrying about missing the last train home. These thoughtful touches highlight why Los Campesinos! should be seen as the gold standard for true fan dedication.
ME REX
We arrived at SWX just after the doors opened and secured a spot on the balcony, ensuring an unobstructed view. As the crowd filled the main floor, we looked down at the scene below, excitement building. Since launching this publication, we’ve made a point of catching Myles, Pheebs, and Rich live whenever possible, and they’ve never disappointed—tonight was no exception. With a stacked setlist, a few special appearances, and Myles sporting his backup red Mustang for part of the performance, ME REX delivered as always. From the opener, "Jupiter Pluvius," to the explosive closer, "Skin It Itches," their set encapsulated everything we love about them. Eschewing shared drum kits, they brought along Pheebs’ sparkly kit, adding a close-knit, intimate feel—even on a larger stage like SWX. The initial punch of "Jupiter Pluvius" straight into "Giant Giant Giant" hit hard, and the crowd responded with such fervour—jumping and clapping along—that it rivalled the energy of some headlining acts.
One standout moment was when the Simlodon version of "Goodbye Forever" transitioned into our collective favourite, "Eutherians (Ultramarine)"—a track Kelly was devastated they didn’t play at Truck Festival. So its return to the setlist was a welcome surprise. Then, they launched into my all-time favourite ME REX song, the epic singalong "Robotswalkonwater (the floor is made of lava)." The gig held special significance for Pheebs, who was taken to her very first concert by her dad to see Los Campesinos! at Southampton’s Joiners. Now, touring with them felt like a full-circle moment for her and the rest of ME REX. To make it even more memorable, her dad, mum, and Rich’s mum were all in the packed crowd.
Things got even more special when the band tore into the absolute classic "Tannika Pacts," and a very familiar stage invader—Los Campesinos!’s Gareth—burst out to share the mic with Myles for the song’s raucous finish. I’m pretty sure the entire venue was lucky I didn’t explode with pure joy on the spot. After "Tannika Pacts," it was time for the penultimate track, another banger, "Heart of Garbage," before they closed out the set with the stone-cold classic "Skin It Itches," joined by ex-member and current Fresh and Cheerbleederz guitarist/vocalist Kathryn Woods for a roaring rendition. ME REX always blow us away live, whether it’s Pheebs’ joyous drumming, Rich’s ability to command both synth and bass at once, or Myles’ lyrical prowess and captivating frontperson presence. But with two special appearances from Gareth and Kathryn, their set in Bristol was on a whole other level of epicness that only Los Campesinos! themselves could top.
ME REX by Sonny Malhotra
Los Campesinos!
During the brief interlude between bands, the staff at SWX handed out water to the crowd—a small but vital gesture given the venue's usual heat. Then, it was time for Los Campesinos!, ready to take an already epic night to even greater heights. The audience was a vibrant mix of long-time die-hard fans like myself, who’ve been on this journey since the early days, and a newer generation of devoted followers who’ve recently discovered the band. Watching people experience their favourite band live for the first time stirred up memories of my own early days, fighting my way to the front of The Other Stage at Glastonbury to catch them years ago.
They kicked off their set with "A Psychic Wound" from their latest album, All Hell. Despite the track only being released earlier this year, it’s already become a fan favourite, with its lyrical refrain, “Tied to the pulse of the sea,” chanted back with the same passion reserved for much of the band’s earlier catalogue.
Following the opener, the crowd was treated to a trio of beloved classics: "I Broke Up In Amarante," "Romance Is Boring," and "Avocado, Baby." The packed venue moved and sang as one, creating an atmosphere that felt almost spiritual—like a congregation hanging on every word, each lyric resonating deeply, releasing emotions in unison.
Bookended between two of All Hell’s bangers, "Holy Smoke (2005)" and "Feast of Tongue," we were treated to two more classics: "By Your Hand" and "What Death Leaves Behind." The band promised “banger after banger,” and they delivered. New tracks like "Long Throes" and "Moonstruck" blended perfectly with classics like "Straight In At 101." It was magical watching Kim take the lead on "kms," and it didn’t take long for a pit to emerge down below, with fans getting gloriously lost in the music.
The night marked the 20th anniversary of when Gareth and Neil first met at university. Gareth asked how many had been around since the start and how many were seeing them for the first time. Most of the pit raised their hands for the latter, prompting Gareth to dedicate two tracks from their debut—"Knee Deep at ATP" and "My Year in Lists"—to them. These songs have taken on a mythical status for newer fans, and seeing everyone scream along felt genuinely emotional.
Next up was the seasonal "I Just Sighed. I Just Sighed, Just So You Know," dedicated to their trans fans. From there, the night became a relentless barrage of brilliance, with Gareth even tweaking the lyrics of "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed" to sing, “You are beautiful,” to the crowd. He joked that playing in a band is the best thing in the world—other than playing for his beloved Welton Rovers.
The energy with which the crowd screamed back every word of "The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future" was breathtaking. Hearing my favourite track sung back by so many was truly a special moment. They “closed” with "0898 HEARTACHE," another All Hell track already high up in many fans’ lists of favourite Los Campesinos! songs.
But, of course, we knew it wasn’t over. With the crowd chanting for more, Los Campesinos! returned to a gladiatorial welcome and ripped into "Clown Blood; or, Orpheus’ Bobbing Head." The crowd screamed along before they launched into "Hello Sadness." Then it was time for their only hit to bring them financial gain, "You! Me! Dancing!," performed with the band gathered around Jason’s drum kit like a druidic ritual. They could have ended it there, but we were lucky they didn’t. Gareth climbed into the photo pit and onto the front of the barrier as they closed with "Baby I Got the Death Rattle," sharing a magical moment with one fan as they both screamed back the lines to one another.
What more is there to say, other than this was the best gig I’ve ever been to—and I was still able to be in bed before midnight (even if it took a while to drift off with all the excitement still coursing through my veins).
Los Campesinos! by Sonny Malhotra
