Michigan based punk band Hot Mulligan toured the UK this April, which saw them bring their brand of midwest emo to London’s The Garage in Highbury and Islington on April 27.
The band were supported by Arm’s Length in what was revealed to be the band’s first time performing overseas. For a band’s debut UK performance, I was truly stunned by the warm reception the crowd gave them.
You’d be forgiven for mistaking Arm’s Length for the headliners as the 600 strong crowd shouted every word back at the band throughout their absorbing 8 song set. It could be argued Arm’s Length was the highlight of the night.
Hot Mulligan finally took to the stage and wasted no time as they opened their set with the single “Drink Milk And Run”. The band then took a moment to showcase some new music off upcoming album ‘Why Would I Watch’ as they blasted through the tracks “Shhhh! Golf Is On” and “Gans Media Retro Games”.
Having showcased their latest output, Hot Mulligan give the crowd what they want as they play tracks “OG Blue Sky”, “*Equip Sunglasses*” and “Digging In” off their last record you’ll be fine, followed by “All I Wanted By Michelle Branch” off their debut album Pilot.
The single “I Fell In Love With Princess Peach” follows to slow the energetic pop punk down for a moment, before “Losing Days” and “Featuring Mark Hoppus” off 2021’s I Won’t Reach Out To You EP ramp the energy right back up again.
The opening chords of “SPS” turns the crowd crazy, easily gaining the biggest reaction of the night as the The Garage sing-a-long to one of Hot Mulligan’s biggest singles. “SPS” would be one of 6 songs off you’ll be fine that Hot Mulligan would play out the rest of their show.
The crowd favorite would be followed by “Analog Fade (New Blue Sky)”, “We’re Gunna Make It To Kilby!”, “Dirty Office Bongos” and “Feal Like Crab” before ending their set on fan favorite track “Bckyrd”. A fitting end to their main set as “Bckyrd” easily gained one of the warmest responses from the crowd, bar “SPS”.
Hot Mulligan, would leave the stage for the first time before coming out for the obligatory encore that the 600 people in attendance chanted for. The crowd’s chant of “one more song” is met as Hot Mulligan takes to the stage for exactly one more song, that being “How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells?” off their debut album.
Similar to Arm’s Length, the crowd knew every word and didn’t hesitate to sing it back to Hot Mulligan and as they left the chatter and laughter signified the night was what many of those attending wanted and/or needed.
It was a wonderful night of punk and midwest emo, with an exceptional debut UK performance from Arm’s Length and a truly satisfying performance from Hot Mulligan themselves.
The band have since revealed another UK tour set to take place this September. This time Hot Mulligan will be supported by Spanish Love Songs and performing at different venues, such as Camden’s Electric Ballroom. If this show is any indication, and you’re a fan of punk and/or midwest emo music, this tour should be on your radar. See you then.
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Words by Dan Harden // Photography by Martina Antonia Liberini
