2008 sees Northern Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers celebrating their 30th year in the music business, and also lead singer Jake Burn's 50th birthday - which gives them a double opportunity to celebrate. Their almost annual March tour rolls into Southampton after taking in various larger venues around the UK, ending on St. Patrick's day with the now legendary show at Glasgow Barrowlands. Southampton Brook is an intimate 600 capacity venue and tonight it is completely sold out. The stage is set up with 3 guitar stacks, each with the letters S-L-F and a back drop displaying the familiar Stiff Little Fingers flames logo.

The current line-up of Jake Burns (Lead Vocals and guitar), Ali McMordie (Bass), Steve Grantley (Drums), and Ian McCallum (Guitar) take to the stage and launch into the up-tempo 'Roots, Radics, Rockers & Reggae'. There is a big push to the front with many fans jumping around right from the off. Jake Burns explains to tonight's audience that the band are not touring to promote a new record or anything, they are just touring because they love playing live. This is the band's 1st ever show at this venue and they seem very impressed with the turnout. 'Strummerville', from the album 'Guitar And Drum', is played as a tribute to, of course, Joe strummer... along with the nostalgic chanting of 'Clash City Rockers', which the audience all join in with.

SLF go on to give the crowd just what they want. There are many classic tracks mixed with rarer album tracks, along with a couple of cover versions: 'Love of The Common People' and 'That Doesn't Make It All Right' (made famous by The Specials). 'Barbed Wire Love', 'Suspect Device' and 'Tin Soldiers' keep the crowd at boiling point with a mass of sweaty bodies swaying about across the front of the stage. The band finish their set with a stirring version of 'Johnny Was', they take their bows and leave the stage. The crowd then stage to chant, "Fingers, Fingers." The band quickly return to the stage for their final number, 'Alternative Ulster', which has the crowd at the front in a dancing frenzy. A truly great night from a 30 year old band that after all this time can still come up with the a performance to thrill.

'Wasted Life' | video
'Listen' | video

Links:
Official SLF website
Official MySpace