FRIDAY 02 OCTOBER 2026
Before I go into a lot of detail about this show … I just thought I’d say that this night felt like a love letter from Laurie Wright.
It felt like this was him showing us acts that are very hard working and that deserve a platform like O2 Kentish Town.
So many long time supporters and people who work in the London gig scene showed up, to show their love too and have a party with friends, which considering there was no guest list as he projected over Instagram says a lot. We all thank him for an iconic night and was glad to pay to support the scene.
That’s the short version of this show.
Laurie Wright is one of those people who performs flawless sets and all over London, I’ve seen him play at the Musos Awards in Electric Ballroom, at The Good Mixer and even on Camden Bridge.
The man always brings the best of indie vibes, the vocals and lyrics have the same sensibility as The Libertines, Jamie T and Bakar where he talks about London life in the London accent.
The sounds behind it have the energy of a 70s blues band on tour in the USA, where everyone knows how to play and just wants to get you guys to feel the energy. Which is exactly what we saw at this gig, lots of crowd interaction and partying.
He regularly gigs at the Marquis and is a perfect representative of what the venue is, a space for retro lovers. Tommy McGuiness the landlord, was on stage at one point, performing their song they wrote together called “Covent Garden’s Drunken Farts Pub Band” with a few friends. It was as he said, a cross between songs from Bugsy Malone and Chas and Dave. It was heart warming to see and made you feel like part of the gang.
There were times when it felt like Laurie at O2 Kentish Town forum, with the big stage and the big lights, and retro style fashion, was like watching footage of Paul McCartney in his solo career with his band at stadium shows in the 70s. I’ve never seen a man in a red glitter top rock it the way he did that night.
There was a 60s type gogo dancer at one point, called Amanda Sarfelt from Women and Work.
Other guests included Ava Blighton, on stage for “Bambi Legs”, the crowd went wild. If there’s one song you need to know before seeing his show it’s this one. It’s one to swing your friends to. West End Lover was the encore and the one I was waiting for.
Talking about anticipation of music from Laurie, do we mention that on his Instagram, there’s a feature film teaser clip of him singing All or Nothing, by Steve Marriott, frontman of The Small Faces.
Keep an eye for it, a lot of the London music scene are excited for him, about this film, a gig friend turned into film star, from the cool streets of London to big screen.
Talking of bigger new heights, That Boy Kit or Kit has been on big adventures this past Summer. Now including opening up on this stage at aged 16 yrs old. He commands a stage wherever he is with his acoustic guitar and love for retro tunes. He does a cover of a Bluetones song that always surprises me.
He later joined Tom McQ on stage. Tom McQ a big supporter of the scene with shows on monthly with Chris Daley at Dingwalls to prove it and lots of fun stuff on his Stoned On Love Instagram.
The man is always good with words, always turns up in impeccable retro outfits. At one point he just held his arms out and he looked like a scooter mod character with Northern Soul fists in strength and love to talk to everyone. His acoustic tunes were good as always, with thought provoking lyrics and smooth sounding tones. So lovely to see Tom McQ compare the night and being shown a lot of respect for the hard work he does.
Stereo Cupid, my first memory of these guys was at an award ceremony where they came across as rock n roll with their fashion, their passion for other live acts and their party antics. So when I saw them perform that’s what I felt and could see but also mixed with a level of chat about social anxieties which I wasn’t expecting. It was good. They look and feel like they know what the scenes about, what the after parties look like and I enjoyed seeing them express themselves. Indie guys but without any shame in putting black eye liner on and getting topless. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next and I’m there for the indie with a hint of real talk and I think the crowd were too.
It’s at this point I want to talk about the dress code, I thought was going to be like Soho mod style for the gig goers but I was surprised and happy to see everyone came as they were and it was a mixture of styles.
So if you ever see Laurie, feel free to wear what you want, or dress like it’s a mod revival event but everyone can have fun at his shows without fashion police type judgement.
Sweet Unrest, what can I say, it was the most beautiful performance I’ve seen them do yet. It seemed tailored for the big stage. With strong indie ballad type feelings but made with interesting energetic lyrics that only the lead singer could come up with from his heart. At one point there was a violinist in a sparkly red dress. And I know this is the second time I’ve mentioned sparkly red clothing, but this threw me in a good way, because I’m used to seeing these bands in Camden where the rooms are sweaty and pub like. It was great to hear a violinist and see everyone dressed for the bigger occasion. They always seem like a band that try and grab your attention with the lead singer and his brilliant punk like movements, his heart pouring moments, with the fun they have on stage or the big guitar sounds that get through to the audience for audience participation.
I was very proud and happy to see everyone on that stage knowing the work they’ve put in in Camden.
Talking work put into the love of music, there was an introduction to a new bass player, Billy Finnegan. Which meant that the years that Leo has spent with the band has come to an end, but I doubt this is the last we’ll see of Leo as he is a super talented and charismatic musician.
The after party at The Camden, which used to be Purple Turtle back in the day, was filled with band members from the night, band members of other bands congratulating their friends for their performances from the gig, a few elite people and lovely fans. Music was conducted by Tom McQ and the lovely Ant who runs Jam in a Jar in Harringay.
Music was made up of rock and roll nostalgia and stuff to make old school moves to or sing legendary indie scene lyrics to. All on point coming from the long standing indie music DJing pros.
They let me and Kit spin some tunes which was lovely. Luisa from Gladys Briefcase requested Babyshambles from me and the stage immediately had a lot of us on it including Laurie, so that we could sing Fuck Forever together. Songs also by The Deniros and A.R.T were played.
Overall a night full of love and appreciation.
Review by Lindsey Tatler and all photography by Luisa Piccin (1-10) photos 11+12by Lindsey Tatler