Gig: Other Half / Problem Patterns @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Other Half
On Tuesday night, we made our way to The Hobbit in Southampton for the first stop on the Other Half and Problem Patterns UK tour, joining the bands for the night where local punk outfit Buds. The Hobbit isn’t just any venue—it’s the kind of place we all wished we'd found during our uni days. It’s a haven of inclusivity and nerd culture, complete with a castle in the garden and above all else puts on some absolutely banging punk shows.
The announcement that Other Half and Problem Patterns would be hitting the road together had us buzzing with anticipation. I’ve given both of their tracks plenty of airtime on my radio show, and while I've experienced Other Half electrify festival crowds before, seeing them headline in front of their own fans brought a whole new level of excitement. They didn’t just perform; they owned the stage, delivering a performance that surpassed all expectations and highlighted why they're a force to reckon with on the punk scene. This show wasn't just another tour date—it was an explosive start to what promises to be an unforgettable tour.
We've been buzzing about Buds. ever since Nic caught their set at the Manchester Punk Festival last month. As a fan of punk and bands with punctuation in their names, I had a strong hunch that Buds. would be right up my alley. True enough, they turned out to be exactly the kind of band my 16-year-old self would have obsessed over—and at 36 (well, I think that's my age, it’s hard to keep track these days), I’m still just as enamoured. Their performance was everything you'd hope for from a local punk gig: chaotic in all the right ways, with the band overcoming relentless feedback and their own sweat-soaked bodies to deliver a compelling set. The energy in the room was palpable, with The Hobbit’s floor vibrating under the enthusiastic movements of the hometown crowd. Sonically, Buds. blended elements of hardcore with melodic punk nuances to forge a sound that begs to be experienced live, surrounded by the energy of a pulsing, sweaty crowd.
Problem Patterns
I’ve been eager to see Belfast’s Problem Patterns ever since their debut album Blouse Club hit the shelves last year. If you haven't heard it, the album is an explosive mix of joyful, rage-fueled punk, packed with anthems.
I was aware that the band rotated vocal duties on their tracks, but I was still unprepared for how seamlessly they switched instruments on stage. The feminist, queer four-piece may playfully claim to be "multi-competent" in their stage banter, but they are undeniably multi-talented.
Their set was a whirlwind of energy, perfectly capturing the spirit of their debut. I couldn't help but bob along from the first note to the last chord. Their on-stage banter revealed not only a great sense of humour but also their status as massive music nerds—like us. Their well-documented love for Shrek, a recurring theme in their merchandise, was celebrated by fans who brought a Shrek flag to the show. This flag, after a pinky-promise for its safe return ended up draped over the kick drum of the band’s drum kit.
A standout moment for me was the crowd's reaction to “TERFs Out,” a fierce single and a clarion call against the bigotry of trans-exclusionary radical feminists. The energy was electric, and it was heartening to see the audience so engaged.
Closing with “Who Do We Not Save,” my favourite track, was the perfect end to their set. If you have the chance to catch Problem Patterns on another date of this tour—or anywhere, really—I urge you to go. They're an irresistibly energetic live band, delivering performances rich in humour and passionate about all the right causes.
Other Half
Closing the night were Norwich’s finest purveyors of DIY noise-punk, the mighty Other Half. Ever since their electrifying performance at ATG last year, we've been captivated and have seized every opportunity to see them live. With each performance, their infectious energy becomes more palpable: Cal is a compelling frontman with an uncanny connection to the audience, Sophie thrums out some of the most powerful bass lines in the scene and Alfie? He just might be the best drummer in the UK right now. Watching them on their own stage, powered by their own gear, added a whole new dimension to their sound. I thought they sounded great before, but their set in Southampton was on another level.
Their set was crammed with stellar tracks from their first two albums, plus a sprinkling of fresh material from their forthcoming third album. They kicked off with the unreleased “Strange Loop,” and despite its unfamiliarity, the crowd was instantly a sea of sweaty exhilaration. This track encapsulates everything quintessential about Other Half: it’s loud, it’s raw, and it’s utterly compelling. They also teased us with two more new tracks: “A Little Less Than Evil” and their ode to Cal having two wet dreams in a night “Farm Games,” which we had a sneak peek of at Reverie Fest last month. Beyond the new material, they delivered crowd favourites like “Losing The Whip,” “In My Wires,” and “Like A Dog.”
The energy peaked when one attendee tried to demonstrate their, for lack of a better term, physical prowess on stage. As the night progressed and the band ripped through one banger after another, the crowd erupted for “Tiny Head” from their debut album Big Twenty. Sonny from the opening act, Buds., was right there in the crowd, shouting back every line. The night culminated with “Jollies With The Boys,” an anthem that brought their epic set to a triumphant close.
Other Half’s performance at The Hobbit was the best we’ve seen, and it’s got me incredibly excited for their upcoming album Dark Ageism, set to drop at the end of June. From what I’ve heard, it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s standout releases.
Honestly, this gig was the highlight of my year, and if you have a chance to catch any of the remaining dates on this tour, I strongly urge you to do so. With bands like Other Half and Problem Patterns, who are phenomenal live, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience!
Catch the remaining dates of the Other Half/Problem Patterns UK tour.
