The last time I was with Sydney Minsky-Sargeant at The Golden Lion, my coat caught fire – it’s that sort of pub, and Working Men’s Club are that sort of band.
It seems suitable then that Working Men’s Club warm up for their forthcoming support dates with LCD Soundsystem with an incendiary night at the iconic Todmorden pub. Syd is his usual mix of pent-up energy and natural charm, showing absolutely no sign of nerves. And that confidence continues for the whole set, even after the usual few minutes twiddling with a synthesiser or two at the start.
A packed Golden Lion is sold out, fans eager to see the direction the band are taking. Starting with John Cooper Clarke, the band have lost none of their swagger during a two-year absence since Summer 2023. Hannah Cobb, Liam Ogburn and Mairead O’Connor remain from last time around, the latter two switching from guitar to synth with ease, with the line-up bolstered by George Coles on more synth.
Valleys is next, written about growing up in Todmorden, but although the lyrics are quite dark – “Confusion is rife, there’s no sense / Why is the darkness so strong?” – the mood is ebullient. This ebullience continues with the disco vibe of Ploys, segueing into Teeth, once the closing song, but now enlivening the middle of the set, the familiar refrain raising the atmosphere a further notch.
Money is Mine, from the Ross Orton-produced second album Fear Fear, could also be described as foreboding – “Endless depression, it’s time, suicide is yours when the money is mine” – but again, the synth and guitar combination create an uplifting wall of sound.
Those of us hoping for some new material will have to wait a little longer but smoke signals coming out of the studio bode well, with Syd also releasing some of his own brilliant acoustic material this week. For now, Fear Fear, the title track, and 19, continue the focus on the second album.
Be My Guest took us all the way back to 2020 and the excitement of those early days, the early single Bad Blood on Melodic Records, then the signing with Heavenly Recordings. But the feeling is very much now and in the present.
An hour or so in and it’s all over, sending the crowd out into the Todmorden night. No encore, or words from Syd. No need, the music speaks for itself. Working Men’s Club are very much back.
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Words and pics: Dave Leggett
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