The Mekons stormed the Bowery Ballroom on July 17th, delivering a raw, unforgettable set that tore through their decades-deep catalog and left the sold-out crowd awestruck. It wasn’t just a concert—it felt like a reckoning, a celebration, and maybe even a farewell all rolled into one.
Onstage, they were loose, loud, and full of fire. John Langford, ever the sardonic prophet, cracked that they’d been “checking out graves” on the way to NYC, a wink to the band’s longevity since forming in 1977—and maybe a nod to the fact that nothing lasts forever, especially in times like these.
The weight of the present hung heavy in the room. Langford didn’t shy away from calling out the political darkness in the U.S., how hard it is now to be a working artist under a regime that feels increasingly hostile. And yet, the band’s defiance, humor, and humanity turned the set into something cathartic, almost communal.
They played for about an hour and 45 minutes, with plenty of love for their newest album Horror, just out on Fire Records in both the UK and U.S. The crowd skewed older with fans in their—50s, 60s, and maybe even a few in their 70s—but age didn’t dull the energy. These were true believers, and the band gave them everything. They mirrored that energy back to the band.
One of the most powerful moments came from Sally Timms, who told us that a few dear friends couldn’t be there due to I believe illness. Throughout the set, she’d been trying to reach them via WhatsApp. Finally, she got through. She held the phone up to the mic so the room could say hello, and then gently placed it down so they could hear the rest of the show. It was a small, tender, and deeply moving moment—the kind that reminds you why live music still matters.
When the lights came up, people didn’t rush out—they lingered, smiling, shell-shocked, grateful. The Mekons are more than a band. They’re a living archive of punk soul and radical empathy. No wonder Fire Records signed them—they’re not just legends. They’re essential.
Jonathan Levitt 7/19/2025
PS. All Photos were shot by me.
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