From outdoor support shows around the globe, stellar reviews and music fans spreading word of unmissable nights – tonight at The 100 Club, on night two of Dork 100, makes it clear that nobody delivers goosebumps like Divorce.
The grounded lyrical punch arrives immediately when Vegas Water Taxi takes the stage. Frontman Ben strips their sound to guitar and voice, showcasing his songwriting prowess. Packed with one-liners that have the room laughing, it’s an artist capturing the world around them, that Americana twist heard across ‘Six Music Dads’ and more from debut album ‘Things Are Gonna Be Alright’. With jokes and gut-check punch reminiscent of early Springsteen, Vegas Water Taxi lays it out for The 100 Club. And it goes down brilliantly.
There’s a reason Westside Cowboy are the talk of every new music tipper and gig-goer, and tonight proves why. Anticipation fills the air as The 100 Club reaches capacity, and what follows makes you forget any other band exists. Blistering through tracks as harmonies ring out, The 100 Club witnesses a prime moment in a year of prime moments. As the call for “WEST-SIDE-COW-BOY” rings into ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’, their scorching move takes hold. Harmonies trade off each other, tracks veering from sizzling garage-rock to tender folk, keeping everyone transfixed. ‘Shells’ and latest cut ‘Alright Alright Alright’ soar, making it clear their headline spotlight approaches rapidly. Ending gathered at the front of the stage, singing as one, Westside Cowboy are THE new band taking over.
“Happy 100th Birthday, Dork!” With that, Divorce take to the stage to light those candles, and for the next hour make The 100 Club feel like the epicentre of the universe. In a year headlining their biggest stages while supporting artists in giant spaces globally, tonight offers a front row view of what makes them essential. They prove it from the start – the hypnotic ‘All My Freaks’ and soaring ‘Lord’ draw the packed crowd closer. It’s that balance between soaring and intimate that sets Divorce apart – a band meaning something beyond just blowing you away (though they manage that too). The ramshackle ‘Jet Show’ and spiralling ‘Fever Pitch’ land like knockout blows whilst ‘Parachuter’ hits with raw emotion. Their signature harmonies take full flight tonight – creating a moment everyone present will boast about for years.
They thrill through their stunning catalogue but also glimpse what’s ahead. ‘O Calamity’ is introduced by Felix and Tiger with a warning about its quietness, delivering a chilling beauty that grips the room. By reaching deep, they’ve found magic that cuts through everything and places their palms directly on your heart.
As ‘Where Do You Go’, a practically national-anthem singalong to ‘Checking Out’ and a final encore of ‘Gears’ closes out tonight, the Divorce that first turned heads with each single has evolved into the band they were destined to be. Goosebumps confirmed, the world awaits them at the doors of The 100 Club.
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