Much like the show itself this review has been delayed and in danger of never happening, unlike the Public Service Broadcasting show in Bristol, the apology won’t be as beautifully worded at that of J. Willgoose Esq.
What the hell happened then, you might be asking. Well, we’ll come to that…
If you’ve heard a Public Service Broadcasting record you might not be expecting a band about 10 strong on stage. Most of their albums are filled with electronic sounds supporting tapes of old public service broadcasts and other historical documents. Well live they’re very much the same but the live horns (who double as on-stage hype men), the aggressive drums, multi-instrumental keyboard, guitar and bass players, and J Willgoose himself bring an intensity and vivacity to the music that isn’t always there on record.
Having started with a couple from their new album, The Last Flight, about Amelia Earhart’s final flight, the band were in full swing, playing from Every Valley , their 2017 album about Welsh miners in the ‘60s and ‘70s, before a loud band, the dimming of the lights, and then a seeming reboot of the lighting system paused the show. Off the band went, before returning some 15 minutes later with a “we’re back and that won’t happen again” message. Obviously it did, about 10 minutes after their return, and a 30 minute break then ensued. Despite murmurings of cancellation, and confirmation that power cuts across Bristol had shorted out the venue PA, the band returned.
And what a return! Despite losing a few songs from the middle of the set and a promise to “make things right” the group powered through their final round of songs in scintillating fashion, playing like it was literally their last show and they had to crank through the set before it all collapsed around them. Again. ‘Spitfire‘, a crowd -pleasing ‘Go!‘, ‘Sputnik‘, ‘People, Let’s Go‘, ‘Gagarin‘, and the finale, ‘Everest‘ are attacked ferociously and without let-up – it’s an amazing spectacle to see a band on fire like that, trying to make up for the delays and lost songs from the set.
By the end the show if 15 minutes over time and everyone is exhausted, from the sheer energy that’s been given rather than the late hour.
Without even booking a replacement show the band made it up to the Bristol audience, it’s this kind of unique show that makes live music so captivating, and Public Service Broadcasting are a band that are unique in so many ways. If you missed out on this round of UK shows they’ve announced a new wide-ranging tour in Spring 2025, go get your ticket now!