Walking up the hill to The Tivoli I knew that tonight’s show was going to be something that I have never witnessed before, but as I turned the corner I could have never imagined the legions of fans lining the streets.

As the anticipation reaches an all time high, the doors open and the swarms of teenagers run in, knocking each other down in an attempt to reach the front of the room.

After sometime, the lights dim, the crowd goes quiet and the first act ‘Const’ walk onto stage. At first glance you wouldn’t be wrong to suspect these middle aged men to be the roadies of the support band simply tuning the instruments… but as the first song begins, it’s clear. These men are having a mid life crisis and they need help. A lot of help. I feel no need to elaborate.

Next to grace the stage is ‘The Red Paintings’. In one of the more bizarre stage entrances I’ve witnessed in a while the band enters the stage in darkness to a voice over discussing the properties of colours in relation to the world. But as the lights raise you realise why they entered in the dark, the enter band were dressed as geisha’s minus the lead singer who was dressed as what only can be described as ‘a Russian communist with yoda strapped to his back’. But despite their bizarre appearance they pulled together a good set and managed to get the crowd involved with their final song; a cover of ‘Mad World’.

Finally its time for what we’ve all been waiting for: Mindless Self Indulgence. Starting their set with ‘Shut Me Up’ the set list only got better with the performance of ‘Faggot’, ‘Stupid MF’, ‘Bitches’ and ‘Never Wanted To Dance’. Although a certain security guard appeared to be completely disgusted with the lyrical value of the songs the crowd were nothing less than enchanted by the performances and weren’t at all discouraged by the absence of bassist Ly-z.

Though the support bands were questionable and some of the onstage antics were down right creepy (can you say riding a fan around on stage like a horse?) MSI are possibly the most intense band I have ever witnessed live.

If your not discouraged by swearing and don’t mind audience participation Mindless Self Indulgence are a band you must see live.

- Megan Pope