Sleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea REVIEW: ‘No airs or graces’

Famously, five year ago a relatively unknown Sleaford Mods played the Fat Fox pub in Albert Road to about 50 bemused punters.
Sleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul WindsorSleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul Windsor
Sleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul Windsor

Up on stage was someone standing behind a laptop perched on a few beer crates, clutching a bee, nodding furiously to the electro beats, while the singer appeared to have a mild form of Tourettes.

Tonight at the Pyramids, Andrew Fearn is still there behind the laptop, still clutching a beer but this time with a grinning smile as he looks out at the several hundred fans before him. Lead singer James Williamson is these days a more refined character, master of the considerably larger stage than before, his almost comedic dad dancing has a feel of music hall about it, but the vocal delivery is still a machine gun Mark E Smith-style volley of bile and abuse about the state of the nation and the undercurrents of society.

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Sleaford Mods have no airs or graces, no fancy backdrop, with minimal lighting. Willliamson delivers a performance of extraordinary stamina.

Sleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul WindsorSleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul Windsor
Sleaford Mods at The Pyramids Centre, Southsea on May 2, 2019. Picture by Paul Windsor

‘Hello Portsmouth, are you still enjoying yourself? This one will cheer you up,' he spits with an ironic grin.

Going Down Like BHS is a highlight (well, my mum did work there) – a metaphor for all that is wrong with corporate Britain.

The pair depart with a nod to Victorious Festival after their triumphant performance last year. Lets hope we see them back there again.

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