By Órlagh Manning, First Year, English with Study Abroad
‘A disease. I have a disease.’ This is what a fan confessed to me after revealing a luminous wristband from each of the in-store live performances at Rough Trade, Bristol. Then, a review: “Wow, wow, wow, wow” — their only words, delivered drenched in sweat after being at the centre of the mosh pit for two 45-minute sets. It perfectly captured the crowd’s energy. The symptoms included punk-induced frenzy among fans, who probably weakened the foundations of the venue. The aforementioned disease? Fat Dogs’ second studio album Cancel Me (I’m Tired).
Cancel Me (I’m Tired) (2026) is an unprocessed, erratic outburst of nihilistic frustration with the modern world, each track its own pissed off exclamation. It was created to be performed live, allowing its electric catharsis to reach its maximum potential. Just as expected, experiencing this live was much better than listening to the album on your headphones — although I'd recommend using the earplugs provided at their shows.
With no backstage, the disgustingly talented members of Fat Dog stepped onto the stage from the crowd to perform. The line between band and fan was essentially non-existent as both parties seamlessly worked in tandem to bring the gritty, loud, and messy performance together.
Every beat thundered through the crowd’s bones, every build dripping with suspense. Both audience and artist were prepared for the all-consuming beat drops of each track. Again and again — to be followed by a surge of jumps, crowd surfs and shouts erupting from every corner of the venue. ‘Go f*** yourself’, Joe Love, the lead singer, and the front row sang, swearing, spitting and flipping each other off in a blissful freedom of release.
The grubby grande finale was a callback to their last album. ‘Running’ spurred the crowd to embody the band's name as they ran in a large circle, much like dogs chasing their tails. Seemingly oblivious to his arm sling, one fan in particular leapt in and out of this frantic mosh pit in wild delirium.
Katie Asha
Each ticket came with a copy of their new release to be signed after the show. In every way, it was a celebration of their new album, released the night before, and a momentous event for the ‘diseased’ fans.
Fat Dog's electric presence is a reminder that raw and real performances not only exist but are thriving and evolving, as the punk scene always has done and will continue to do.
Featured image: Epigram / Tom Foley
Will you be listening to Fat Dog's new album?
