Live Review: Lovejoy at the 02 Academy, Islington – London, UK (19/11/2024)
“I WISH I WAS THERE,” a text read. We didn’t mean to see the text because it wasn’t on our phone, but we admit, bright screens always catch our attention. Yet, the sentiment was palpable whether or not we had seen that specific message; noted previously plastered all over the r/lvjy Subreddit after fans snapped up tickets so quickly and aggressively the band added additional dates, and Instagram fan accounts posting update after update with any sliver of information they could find. With excitement and anticipation at the forefront of the crowd in front of us – we knew, they knew so much that we didn’t.
Part of it being that simply labelling Lovejoy as ‘indie rock’ and going on your way is a disservice to the technicalities the band exude effortlessly. The band fluently string together aspects from a variety of genres – whether it be the precise nature of math-rock, the experimental side of prog-rock, the drum style of metalcore, or the poetic lyrics often found in indie – the band isn’t just indie rock.
That realisation combined with the energy of the quartet on stage alter the way you watch the band on stage. With Will Gold’s natural stage presence, Ash Kabosu’s flashy yet technical bass line powering the show, Joe Goldsmith’s complex guitar riffs, and Mark Boardman’s powerful and talented drumming – one starts to put together just how much the fans knew ahead of time what they were in for.
The Resources for Teaching Tour kicked off in Manchester the night before, on the 18th, allowing very little time for information to truly surface before the London date on the 19th. Sauntering onto the stage as teachers – Gold as a geography teacher, Goldsmith as a history teacher, Kabosu as an art teacher and Boardman a gym teacher – the band don’t give you time to relish in their sense of humour before kicking off with ‘Perfume.’
Consisting of sixteen songs total, throughout the entire show, each and every first note of a track was met with excited screams from the crowd. And immediately, as soon as Gold would start singing, the screams would cut and the fans would sing back to the band. Every one knew every word – some even knew words to unreleased songs ‘Wasted Summer’ and ‘Foxholes’ that had only been played once the night before.
While the setlist hosted a cohesive mix of all three of Lovejoy’s EPs, there’s something to be said about the tracks off of Wake Up & It’s Over in a live setting. Kabosu’s shredding bass line in ‘Portrait of a Blank Slate,’ Gold’s vocal capabilities in ‘Call Me What You Like,’ Goldsmith’s technical riffs in ‘It’s Golden Hour Somewhere,’ and Boardman’s complex, thudding drums in ‘Scum’ show a cohesive and fine-tuned band that bask in their artistry and have fun while doing it.
Each member is distinct within their role – Will Gold’s infectious upbeat demeanour is one of someone who has found their calling in a live setting; Mark Boardman’s effortless banter with the other members while drumming one-handed showcases a degree of both talent and skill; Kabosu’s commitment to being the only member who doesn’t speak – including being the only one on stage with no microphone – while meticulously pulling off complex bass lines leaves a comedic mystery to who he is; Joe Goldsmith’s ability to engage with the audience while still executing complex single-string riffs showcase Goldsmith as a true entertainer – and that is what makes Lovejoy, Lovejoy.
So, yes, the fans certainly had one up on us, knowing the excellence that laid on the stage before us. And that Lovejoy puts their heart and soul into their work. Whether it be in the studio or a live setting, you will be entertained and you will be a Lovejoyer by the end of the last track.
The full set list can be found below.
Perfume
Normal People Things
Warsaw
One Day
Model Buses
Taunt
Wasted Summer (unreleased)
Foxholes (unreleased)
I’ll Look Good When I’m Sober
Cause for Concern
It’s Golden Hour Somewhere
Scum
Call Me What You Like
Encore
Concrete
Portrait of a Blank Slate
The Fall
In the meantime, you can keep up with Lovejoy on Instagram, TikTok, their new official Subreddit, their official YouTube, and their vlog YouTube channel.
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