5 May 2026

You could easily dismiss any musical output by Gene Gallagher before hearing a single note—especially when that output comes in the form of a three-piece rock band. After all, his father fronted a group that arguably (and I stress arguably, Beatles fans) pioneered the greatest musical revolution in history. Did that faze Gallagher Jr.’s swagger or performance? Not one bit.

First up were Danish four-piece post-punk outfit Baench. Imagine Robert Smith mixing a synth-pop cocktail of Echo & the Bunnymen, A-ha, and Julian Casablancas’ side project, the Voidz. They proved a fittingly atmospheric opener for the 100 Club. Their latest single, “Watch You Go,” kicks off with a driving bass drum and is layered with heavy synth keys to match.

The closing track, “Bloody Feeling,” gave each member a chance to show what they were made of at the iconic London venue, its extended outro evoking Neon Waltz channelling ’70s-era Pink Floyd.

Next up were Saint Claire, a four-piece alt-rock band blending the introspective lyricism and vocal style of Thom Yorke with the heavy, grungy guitar riffs of Wunderhorse. They provided the perfect transition into the night’s main event.

As the sold-out crowd parted to make way for Villanelle, Gene stepped forward and gestured to the audience, coaxing a response that was met with ecstatic applause. “You can do louder than that,” he growled into the centre-stage mic—delivered with a tone unmistakably Gallagher.

The set opener, “Hinge,” carried a heavy bass riff reminiscent of “Molly’s Chambers” by Kings of Leon, paired with an upfront melodic style akin to Nirvana’s “Breed.” The band leaned further into that grunge-infused sound on the second track, “Some Chew Lip,” with Gene delivering a vocal twang that nodded subtly to Liam.

The EP’s title track, “Measly Means,” harked back to The Stone Roses and was warmly received—especially by the Pretty Green-clad Oasis fans scattered throughout the crowd.

A brief intermission to wish the remaining two members a happy birthday was followed by the crowd-pleaser “Placebo.” Delivered with raw energy, the track had the audience bouncing, sparking a mosh pit among the 300-strong crowd—exactly what you’d expect from a venue like this.

The band delivered a blistering set—short, sharp, and impressively tight, holding their own against both peers and predecessors. Like his father, Gene seemed entirely unfazed by the giants who had previously graced that stage—and is ready to make a mark of his own on the industry.

Review by Luke Stanley for The Songbird HQ

Photography by Gary Walker