Friday, 21st November. 8:34pm. The Fleece.

Admittedly, I knew little about the Orwells when I first signed up to review their live show in Bristol. But then I had only signed up around thirty minutes ago, when my phone had buzzed to announce a not-so cryptic text from my ever-unreliable Bristol Beats Club co-host, Damian.

“Chris. The Orwells review. I’m engaged tonight. I need information.”

My long running relationship with Daim had equipped me with the skills I needed to decipher the message:

“Chris. I know you’re working late tonight. But I’m off to get drunk. It turns out you’ll be working later.”

I hadn’t even bothered protesting. I’d simply put twenty minutes of research in, then left for the gig. And my lack of preparation was quickly becoming a grave error.

When you attend this gig, be prepared

If I had delved a little further into the nature of the band’s live performance; if I had explored in greater detail the Orwells’ YouTube channel; if I had swotted up on the now-iconic Jools Holland performance, I can tell you this:

I wouldn’t have attended the gig wearing £120 new suede shoes.

Just two bars of the Orwells opening gambit (Southern Comfort) was all it took to get the majority of the Fleece jumping. Four bars in and the crowd were climbing columns. And when lead singer Mario Cuomo sacrificed his luminous yellow beanie to an already excitable crowd, the nearby flat residents were almost certainly logging noise complaints with Bristol City Council.

The Orwells hypnotised the audience with every passing moment

Not that the vocalist would’ve cared. His theatrics are becoming legendary and his attitude notorious. He commanded not only the stage but the entire room, hypnotising the audience further with every passing moment.

Quite how he manages it remains a mystery. It wasn’t until three songs in that he decided to strike up a conversation with the audience, his heavy Illinois accent stapled to every word:

“I don’t feel like talkin’ to you. I don’t feel like talkin’. So we’re just gonna play the fuckin’ songs. K?”

The sparse and cruel exchange sparked nothing but further admiration from an audience eager to play up to Cuomo’s game.

In fact, the Orwells’ entire performance was centred around Cuomo’s antics. He stole the show with everything he did. From his Ian Curtis-like dance moves to his bleached denim jacket, everything commanded attention.

A love-hate relationship with audiences everywhere

It must be said that both Cuomo and the band warmed to the crowd as the gig went on.

The Orwells initially chose to pelt the audience with beer and keep interaction to a minimum. By the end of the set they were crowd surfing, inviting gig-goers on stage and dueting with the masses.

And they tore the place down when they performed Who Needs You whilst donning a Santa hat that had made its way on stage at some point during the set – although one suspects the track would’ve been equally well received sans fancy dress.

The Orwells: a gig best enjoyed intoxicated

As I mentioned, I wasn’t prepared for the gig. I arrived time-strapped, tired and straight from the office. So don’t make the same mistake that I did.

If you’re off to see the Orwells, prepare for a night of madness and mayhem. Arrive with the right mentality and there is nothing that can stop you from enjoying their performance.

Bristol Beats Xx

Image: Dig Boston