Meryl Streek & Polite Bureaux at Green Door Store, Brighton, 28th February 2024
There are definite peaks and troughs in trends of new music, and phases where it feels like things are coasting and a little safe. Not to knock that for those looking for familiarity, but it genuinely warms my heart to see some of the newer acts coming through that dare to be different and produce material they believe in, rather than what they know will be accepted en masse. Last night’s gig at Green Door paid testament to that in style.
Opening act, Brighton based Polite Bureaux should be well up on your to see list if you haven’t done so yet. With an album release pending, there are new tracks added to their set which surely cement their progress towards a bigger audience. This is not the mass produced Everyone-sounds-like-The-Fall spoken word so widely available, it’s skillful wordplay with pulsing drum beats and synth/bass riffs that bounce through the room. Really looking forward to seeing what’s next.
Headlining the evening, Dublin’s Meryl Streek provides up close and personal effrontery with lyrics that take direct aim at the Irish government and the Catholic Church amongst others. Judging by the current den of political incompetency, it seems little coincidence that running the country and ruining the country are only one letter apart, and Meryl Streek is here to challenge that with no holds barred.
Barely a second standing still, his performance is confrontational and engaging in equal measures, hints of grime and trip-hop providing the perfect musical backdrop to the tirade of spoken stories heading across the crowd. The set goes by too fast and again, comes highly recommended.
An excellent night, make no mistake that punk is back knocking your door down, but this time it wants you to dance. Give thanks for that.
Meryl Streek | Polite Bureaux
Words and photos © Siobhan – 16 Beasley St Photography
Published 29th February 2024
Breaking Glass Magazine 