His Lordship / The Bodega / Nottingham

Nov 19

Nov 19 His Lordship / The Bodega / Nottingham

A trip to The Bodega in Nottingham, for a must see show – As His Lordship head to town.

His Lordship have played The Bodega before, and you can tell as the place is packed early, there’s a real buzz in the air, and a really mixed crowd which is great to see.

First up in support we have a set from The Lotts. Formed in 2018 The Lotts play garage punk influenced by the likes of Zappa and The Stooges, it’s fast, furious loud and punchy ! A Lotts performance is packed with energy and positive vibes and reminded me of the likes of Zac Schulte, Jayler or October Drift in that regard. Good stuff !

The Lotts have a style packed with punk attitude, and throughout the set they deliver powerful fast drum rhythm, and punchy guitar riffs dominate proceedings as they create an energy in the room.

Vocalist and guitarist Henry Bucanan is the main focus, strutting and posing as best he can in the limited space afforded to larger bands in the Bodega. Like a coiled spring let loose, be transfers that emotion from band to crowd.

There’s no question about it, The Lotts are an incredible live band who just ooze energy and enjoyment from their music. Top stuff !

Setlist

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A quick change round on stage, and it’s time for tonight’s headliners His Lordship to take to the spotlight. His Lordship is duo James Walbourne (guitar and vocals) and Danish drummer Kristoffer Sonne (drums/vocals), who live, are also joined by Dave Page on bass. Both have performed with Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, for who Walbourne has been the guitarist since 2008.

His Lordship came together as a project during the pandemic, and was initially a vehicle for James and Kris to simply play great rock n’ roll in local pubs, but it has grown, and developed into what it is today. They released a self-titled debut album in 2024, and a follow up “Borfed Animal” earlier this year.

The premise, and stage set up is simple – It’s good old fashioned rock n’ roll – played how it’s mean to be – fast and furious ! And that’s exactly what they deliver, time after time – It’s just 3 guys bashing out an amazing performance.

I love ‘em, and to be honest, it’s so refreshing and a breath of fresh air – music just played for it’s pure enjoyment. No fancy sets or pyros, or effects, just stripped back, ‘balls to the wall’ rock n’ roll. And they play with a heavy dose of punk attitude thrown into the mix, brimming with energy and passion.

They kick off with Old Romantic which sets the tone for the evening right away. James is moving round the stage and Kris is pounding at the kit, so much so (and being so packed tonight) his glasses steam up !

Next up is Bored Animal, the title track from the latest album is packed with raw energy with James leaning out into the crowd with his guitar as we then head into another from the latest “Bored Animal” album, and Marc-Andre Leclerc. Fast paced and raucous, something in the riffs reminds me of “My Sharona” and with a punchy chorus section.

Derek E Fudge is an absolute delight of a track, both live and recorded. With Kris taking on vocal duties for this one as he stands behind his kit, it slows things right down. It has a delightful bass groove running through it, and the chorus sections remind me of something off “St Pepper” made to sing along to.

Following 12-12-21 we get another dose of Kris on vocals, but this time he takes centre stage, yaking the mic cable to release more ready for the start of My Brother Is An Only Child. Kris climbs atop the bass drum and swirls the mic round his head, barely missing the lights before jumping down to sing. Another trip onto the bass drum sees him with mic in mouth arms outstretched to the cheers of the crowd. A wonderful crazy interlude.

A real treat next with The Way I Walk a cover of the 1958 Jack Scott hit, (also famously covered by The Cramps) dripping in rockabilly sensibilities, whilst Rock Fall Echo Dust takes us back again to some good old classic rock’n’roll roots which has everyone moving along to.

The poignant Jackie Works For The NHS is dedicated to those working in the NHS and the track I Fly Planes Into Hurricanes sums up what His Lordship is all about – energy and mayhem, with a chorus the crowd are chanting along to !

The set draws to a close with a furious version of Buzzkill followed by Cat Call and finally All Cranked Up. The guys leave the stage only to return for a quick fire cover of Billy Lee Rileys Red Hot.

His Lordship are something quite special. For me, His Lordship sum up what live music should be about – the music – pure and simple – And James, Kris and Dave are masters at pure rock n’ roll enjoyment.

Setlist

Old Romantic

Bored Animal

Marc-Andre LeClerc

Joyboy

Weirdo in the Park

Derek E. Fudge

The Way I Walk (Jack Scott cover)

Rock Fall Echo Dust

Johnny Got No Beef

I Live in the City

The Repenter