First a disclaimer. Words and photos alone are not going to be able to do justice to just how good this gig was. Yes, PSB are in my top five favourite bands. Live they’re in my top three and I go to a hell of a lot of gigs (eight in the last eleven days). I danced, I smiled, I welled up and the occasional tear crept out of my eyes. Because for me that’s what Public Service Broadcasting do. For whatever reason their music just has the ability to stir up a whole range of emotions.
A Public Service Announcement. Oh how we wish every band would do this. “A few photos are OK. Even a bit of video. But don’t watch the show through a four inch screen. It stops others enjoying it, it’s annoying. It’s rude…….And so is talking loudly”. Both statements greeted with huge cheers. PSB are not telling us not to use our phones, they’re simply stating the obvious. The videos will probably sound crap and the whole show will be infinitely better experienced through your own eyes and ears. However, I’ll admit now that I had a photo pass.
And then what is possibly the most perfect introduction to a band walking on stage. Bowie’s ‘Sound And Vision” sets the atmosphere for what proves to be a gig that’ll be a 2026 standout. With no brand new album to promote the set is a glorious run through of some of the choicest cuts from a back catalogue of five stunning albums. They open with ‘Electra’ from 2024’s ‘The Last Flight’ and from this point on you’re reminded just how good this band is at not only producing superb, atmospheric sounds in front of some stunning visual backdrops but just how much their songs can really stir the emotions. ‘The Fun Of It’ follows, both tracks celebrating aviator Amelia Earheart whose plane disappeared over the Pacific as she attempted to become the first woman to fly around the world. Veering from quiet, almost whimsical, thoughtful moments to huge pounding sounds and the resounding statement of fact that “I do it because I want to. I do it for the fun of it”.
‘The Last Flight’ continues PSB’s brilliant output of albums dedicated to evoking key times throughout 20th Century history. Albums focusing on the Welsh mining industry, the race for dominance in space, the art, industry and soundscapes of Berlin. An output that is celebratory, provocative, emotional. All brilliant but to really appreciate the magic of Public Service Broadcasting and how they do things it is the live experience that really hits home just how good they are. Occasionally whisper quiet, occasionally a massive mix of rock and electronic wizardry their live show is genuinely captivating. A backdrop of images and newsreels from key historical moments, voices from archived radio and TV features, it really is hard to put into words just how good a Public Service Broadcasting show is. You have to be there. And tonight develops into what is possibly the best I’ve seen them.
‘The Pit’ and ‘Progress’ follow. A haunting soundscape and an irresistible dance beat narrating the the heyday and subsequent demise of the coal industry. Uplifting, political, poignant and anger inducing all at the same time. How many bands can do all that in just a few minutes? ‘Night Mail’ and ‘Korolev’ show perfectly how PSB draw people in so that apart from the music, the visuals, the atmosphere absolutely nothing else matters. To be surrounded by a few thousand people completely lost in the sounds pulsating out from the stage, swaying, some with their eyes closed absolutely in the moment is special.
‘The South Atlantic’ is delicate, poignant and allows Eera’s voice to shine before we’re pummeled with the massive, doom laden, disaster unfolding sounds of ‘Monsoon’. To follow this with the simply beautiful, moving ‘A Different Kind Of Love’ shows just how good PSB are at grabbing your attention, making you think, playing with your feelings as the delicate subtleties wash over the silent crowd. It’s a magical prelude to the sudden change in tempo that brings in ‘Blue Heaven’. Powerful, emotional, hammering home the importance of self-belief and an unwillingness to bow down to the wishes of others – “I know I’m different, I do as I please. A spark inside that I can’t hide………….. I won’t let me down, let me down”
‘Spitfire’, ‘The Other Side’ and ‘Go’ deliver a three song, main set closing climax that it’s hard to imagine could be any better. Huge crowd pleasers. ‘Spitfire’ is glorious. A dance inducing epic, whilst ‘The Other Side’ is tense, atmospheric and ultimately joyful and full of celebration (and always brings a tear to my eyes). Finally ‘Go!’ and the whole of Piece Hall is bouncing, swaying, chanting. It’s beyond catchy. Layers of guitars, that repetitive beat, hundreds of people chanting “Go!” and, eventually, “Stay!”. After so many years since it’s release it’s clear how much joy this song still brings to not only the crowd but to the band aswell. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – it’s rare you get a chance to witness such a brilliant end to a set.
A fantastic four song encore opens with ‘They Gave Me A Lamp’, another glorious four minutes of atmosphere that builds and builds to a bouncing crescendo. ‘People, Let’s Dance’ get’s everyone doing just that. ‘Gargarin’, all brass and funked up beats has even the small group of talkers stood a few yards from me dancing crazily before the night ends, as it usually does, with ‘Everest’. The fact we know it’s going to happen doesn’t make it any less spectacular. Public Service Broadcasting say their thanks and leave to roars of approval, massive applause and a feeling that tonight really was a special gig.
A Public Service Broadcasting show is more than just a gig. It’s a completely immersive experience. The visuals, the music, the beats, the history. Everything coming together to create something absolutely unique. Brilliant.
A big shout out to tonight’s support The Big Moon. A band I’ve seen seen seven or eight times but admittedly never deliberately – they’ve just popped up at festivals or as a support. They play an hour of middle of the road indie rock/pop that’s certainly appreciated by many here but they’re not really for me. But the world would be a very different musical place if we all liked the same thing.
Words/photos: steve white
Click on any image below to open slide show/gallery of photos.
