In a shakeup for long-time fans, The Wildhearts brought a fresh lineup to the stage for their “comeback” gig at the glorious Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Longtime frontman Ginger Wildheart, the band’s sole constant, was joined by returning bassist “Random” Jon Poole, who previously held the spot from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2013. Newcomers to the Wildhearts’ camp include guitarist Ben Marsden and drummer Pontus Snibb. Marsden, from the Warner E. Hodges band and various other projects, including The Main Grains with ex-Wildheart bassist Danny McCormick, added his talents and energy to the band. Snibb, a multi-instrumentalist from Sweden best known for singing and playing guitar in Swedish rockers Bonafide, brought additional expertise. This lineup boasts a high caliber of talent, injecting new energy not only into the live show but also into the ever divisive audience.
I don’t see any problem with the band pushing forward. Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs over the years, but if the music is treated with respect and Ginger continues writing new songs, who can argue? Ginger is indeed keeping The Wildhearts alive and well, pulling out all the stops for this performance. It was the biggest production I’ve seen, featuring pyros, confetti, and lights that would make the O2 arena jealous.
The Wildhearts’ setlist struck a balance between fan favorites and deeper cuts while also showcasing some exciting new material. They opened strong with a high-energy trio of “Sleepaway,” “Diagnosis,” and “Suckerpunch” before offering a singalong moment with “I Wanna Go Where the People Go.” The band kept the momentum going with aggressive tracks like “Caffeine Bomb” and “Slaughtered Authors” before slowing things down with “The Jackson Whites” and “Mazel Tov Cocktail.”
The new song “Eventually” proved to be a worthy successor, capturing that classic Wildhearts’ banger sound with a chorus that’s sure to be stuck in fans’ heads for days. They revisited established hits like “Vanilla Radio” and “Everlone” before another new track, “Hurt People Hurt People,” took center stage. This slower number offered a glimpse into Ginger’s solo influences while remaining a powerful song in its own right. The band closed out the main set with the classic “Chutzpah” before treating the crowd to a two-song encore featuring “Greetings From Shitsville” and “My Baby Is a Headfuck” – a fittingly raucous conclusion.
