Ruts DC get the sold-out crowd nicely warmed up with their top quality fusion of Dub ‘N’ Punk. ‘Music Must Destroy’,’SUS’, and ‘Psychic Attack’ seamlessly blend the bands bold newer tracks with older fan favourites. The band’s trio of ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’, ‘In A Rut’ along with the “best ever Punk compilation” staple ‘Babylon’s Burning’ round off a far from support band set. Stiff Little Fingers are not a band for phoning it in and tonight is no exception as they put in a near perfect Punk performance. The only thing that never changes with SLF is the ‘Go For It’ intro which is as much a part of the set as any of the band’s big hitters. Opening with ‘Wait and See’, ‘Nobody’s Hero’ (which is almost ruined by a beer-throwing moron, there’s always one.) and the sing-song inducing ‘Gotta (Gotta) Getaway’ open the early vocal airwaves. The first setlist surprise is the inclusion of the ‘Can’t Believe In You’ single from the sadly bypassed live ‘Get A Life’ album. ‘Safe As Houses’, ‘Barbed Wire Love’ and ‘Roots Radicals, Rockers & Reggae’ give way to the night’s biggest revelation, a new track. ‘Tilting At Windmills’ has the winning Burns musical and lyrical backbone plus it hints at the possibility of a new Fingers album.
The next live curveball ‘Is That What We Fought The War For’ from the “marmite” ‘Now Then…’ album, it’s followed by ‘Wasted Life’ and a blistering cover of The Specials ‘Doesn’t Make It Alright’. ‘At The Edge’, ‘Tin Soldiers’ and the incendiary ‘Suspect Device’ sends the band stage left and leaves the crowd baying for more. Stiff Little Fingers are no nostalgic end of the pier, postcard Punk band. Their songs overflow with cold governmental and religious truths all topped with personal suffering and are delivered with such ferocious belief it’s impossible not to get involved. Most of all though they remain a stunning live band perfectly in tune with their audience and the worlds political plight. The duo of ‘Johnny Was’ and the now obligatory set closer ‘Alternative Ulster’ wraps up an exemplary night of captivating entertainment.