Fucked Up & Doomsquad began their 'Zodiac' tour, played London's Koko with La Dispute (pics, setlists)
photos by Rachel Juarez-Carr
Fucked Up / La Dispute
Enigmatic frontman Damien Abraham retains the vocal mannerisms and imposing stage presence that underpinned the band’s hardcore years, yet the evident shift in sound now sees Fucked Up generate an unrelenting wall of considered noise, both distorted and indistinguishable …Fucked Up have evolved from their hardcore roots, providing carefully crafted chaos that pushes the senses to breaking point. Bewildered some may be, especially the considerable numbers who are unquestionably here for the next act, yet Fucked Up are bringing something new to the table – and then setting the table on fire.
[La Dispute‘s] performance is tight. Very tight. The heavier moments thunderous; the quieter moments serene. For a band based on poetry, they have more than found their artistic voice. La Dispute provide a challenging combination of intensity and honesty that sees the crowd react with aggressive force to some brilliantly foreboding subject matter. [Punktastic]
Fucked Up are currently on their Zodiac tour, which has them playing material from their Zodiac singles series and collaborating on stage with tourmates Doomsquad. If you’re unfamiliar, the Zodiac songs push the boundaries of hardcore even further than their regular songs, often going into psychedelic territory and passing the 20-minute mark (like upcoming single “Year of the Hare”). They did also play other FU stapes though, like “Son the Father,” “The Other Shoe,” and more.
The tour recently stopped in London for a show at Koko on May 26, which was doubly excellent as it was a co-headlining show with fellow hardcore boundary-pushers La Dispute. Two Inch Astronaut opened but we missed them. Pictures of the co-headliners are in this post.
The Fucked Up/Doomsquad tour hits NYC on June 26 at The Wick (tickets) and Jersey City on June 27 at WFMU Monty Hall (tickets). Doomsquad also open Pins’ Northside show at Rough Trade on June 13 (tickets).
No upcoming La Dispute shows in NYC, but they did just play here in March. Both LD and FU were also recently announced for Fun Fun Fun Fest.
More pictures and setlists from London below…
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Fucked Up
La Dispute
Fucked Up Setlist (via)
Year of the Rat
David Comes to Life
Son the Father
California Cold
Year of the Pig
Queen of Hearts
The Other Shoe
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La Dispute Setlist (via)
King Park
First Reactions After Falling Through the Ice
The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit
Woman (In Mirror)
For Mayor in Splitsville
a Letter
Harder Harmonies
Safer in the Forest/Love Song for Poor Michigan
Stay Happy There
Woman (Reading)
HUDSONVILLE, MI 1956
Encore:
The Last Lost Continent
