As Inside Seaside is approaching, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on what was, for us, one of the best gigs last year: Sleaford Mods.
Sleaford Mods, the noisy, venom-fueled brainchild of Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, cut through the grime of British society with razor-sharp spoken word and a minimalist, gut-punching post-punk sound. There’s nothing polished here, and that’s the point. This isn’t the Britain of tea parties and well-groomed lawns – this is the Britain of council estates, dead-end jobs, and the frustrations of a working class worn thin by austerity. With every release, they’re spitting back at the system that’s failed them.
Their sound? It’s punk, but not the nostalgic kind. It’s bare, raw, and unapologetically British. They channel the frustrations of everyday people with a ferocity that doesn’t let up. Since 2013, Sleaford Mods have been on a relentless march, releasing album after album at a breakneck pace, each one serving as a snapshot of the times: gritty, angry, and yet somehow infectious.
The media, fans, and critics alike tend to view their work as a bold political statement. Sleaford Mods’ albums are often praised for their authenticity and no-holds-barred critique of modern British society. Some journalists have lauded them as the voice of a disenfranchised generation, while others have labeled their approach as abrasive or too pessimistic. Yet it’s this brutal honesty that has earned them both respect and notoriety.
We had the chance to catch them last year during Inside Seaside in Gdańsk, and it was absolutely spectacular. Not because of fireworks or some complex light show, but because of its simplicity. It was raw, driven by anger, and delivered with a clear political message that hit us right where it matters.
Their recent gig in Paris at Yoyo, filmed by ARTE Concert on November 14, 2023, for Echoes with Jehnny Beth, carries that same weight. Just like Robin Hood’s rebellion, Sleaford Mods are here to remind us that the fight against injustice is far from over.
