Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers Review
Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers at Bodega - Images Liv McCarthy
I’d been eagerly anticipating this show since it was first announced. The line-up, featuring Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers, Trupa Trupa, and Rights for Flies, was an absolute winner, with all three bands now firm favourites of mine. The night before their Bodega show, Trupa Trupa headlined The Grace in London with Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers supporting, providing a brilliant opportunity for both bands to showcase their music to each other’s crowds. Tonight, however, it was Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers headlining at Nottingham institution, The Bodega – the perfect way to cap off what has been a fantastic year for the band. Their rise to becoming one of the best new acts in the city, and beyond, is well deserved. Kicking things off were Rights for Flies, a local psychedelic rock band who have been making huge waves recently – definitely one to keep an eye on for 2025!
Rights for Flies
Rights for Flies
From the moment Rights for Flies hit the stage, they had the crowd eating out of their hand. The band exudes a positive vibe, their distinctive handmade fly and insect costumes pulling you into the unique creative world they’ve conjured up. Opening with “Hanging Out the Towels,” they chilled the room before dropping my current favourite track of theirs, “Biodiversity.” This hypnotic, rhythmic tune sums up everything that makes this band so exciting. As the set progressed, the crowd steadily grew in size. “Starfucker” unleashed a massive fuzzy blast of pure rockstar energy, with lead singer Tobi showcasing his performance skills, effortlessly entertaining the crowd. Drummer "Stan the Mantis" joined in on vocals while the band’s three backing singers harmonised and danced along with the heavy groove. The crowd couldn’t help but get involved, even marching their feet during a later track. Rights for Flies know exactly how to ignite a crowd and continue to evolve their distinct sound and performance style.
Trupa Trupa
Trupa Trupa
Next up were Trupa Trupa, the Polish post-punk trio who’ve recently enjoyed the immense honour of being introduced and played by none other than Iggy Pop on his BBC 6 radio show. Their sound, heavy with a psychedelic edge, sets them apart from the crowd, with clear influences from legends like Joy Division and The Fall, combined with a more modern twist reminiscent of Warmduscher. Despite being a trio, their sound felt much bigger, achieved through a vast array of effects pedals and a heavy reliance on dynamics and hypnotic repetition in their songwriting. As the set built in intensity, standout tracks like “No More” and “Backwards” revealed the moody, dark power that lies at the heart of their meticulously crafted music. The final track, “Wasteland,” took the room into a trance, its repeating bassline and unique vocal style evoking the spirit of Mark E. Smith, yet maintaining its own distinctive identity. The crowd’s cheers and applause were testament to the lasting impression they left.
Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers
Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers
The anticipation in the room for Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers was palpable as they took to the stage, exuding confidence and excitement. Opening with “Ladies Night / Gay Bowling,” they cranked up the energy, blasting jangly, catchy riffs with a powerful rhythm section that had the audience moving from the get-go. Next up was “Pax and Potions,” arguably their catchiest track, one that stayed with me long after the gig. A personal highlight of the set for me was “Paying for a Friend.” This track really showcased Joss’s lyrical depth and vocal prowess, while the band’s inventive songwriting shone through. The song built to a brilliantly dynamic conclusion – initially muted, before the whole band came crashing back in with a heavy, slow groove. Multiple band members harmonised the title of the track as they propelled the song into a frenetic crescendo, returning to the original riff for an exhilarating finale.
The set was consistently excellent, with a newfound cohesiveness that felt even more pronounced live. This was likely due to the band’s lineup evolution, which now places a greater emphasis on guitars and the rhythm section, resulting in a more flowing and cohesive sound. “Too Hot for the Dog” was another standout, highlighting the rockier side of Wizards, with a crunchy riff that steadily intensified over a mesmerising groove. Rights for Flies joined the band onstage for their recent single “Creatures of the Night,” one of their funkiest tracks that truly blew the roof off the venue. Closing the set with “Let’s Go to Vegas,” one of the first songs they wrote, it was a moment that transported me back to their early shows and made me realise how far they’ve come. Their second headline show at The Bodega was a triumph, bursting with energy and enthusiasm, and capped off with a packed crowd of eager fans. The future is looking incredibly bright for Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers – tonight they proved themselves to be true musical wizards.