the Jesus Lizard / Stratford Rise – European tour live at Limelight Belfast 14.01.2025

The Jesus Lizard played the Limelight in Belfast on Tues 14th Jan, and what a night it was.

Support came from Belfast’s young up and comers Stratford Rise, who are making a lot of noise on and off the stage with their meticulously created chaos and unusually formal stage attire. They remind me of the likes of Slint or Shellac with their heavy, bordering on detuned, guitars and bass creating an almost math rock kind of polished sound you wouldn’t expect from a band so young. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

You never know what you’re gonna get from a Jesus Lizard gig, and as soon as singer and frontman David Yow walked on stage carrying a beer he shouted ‘I’ve never been this drunk in my fucking life’ before hurtling himself into the crowd, weather they were ready for him or not.

He spent the whole first song being carried across the crowd until he got to a pole where he clung to it while the crowd held him up like some sort of messiah or Jesus (Lizard…sorry) esque figure, all while continuing to sing.
If he was as drunk as he said he was, this was an extra impressive feat.

Upon his return, his shirt was ripped open and his suit jacket thrown to the side, and he continued to patrol the stage, waiting for his next bit of inspiration to see what more chaos he could create, then decided it was time to dive back into the crowd for some more surfing.

This all took place within the first 10 mins of the gig…and it was more entertaining than some entire gigs I’ve been to.

It always makes me feel good to see these older, legendary bands still touring as if it was their first gig, and still being able to fill a venue with both hardcore fans and new recruits alike.

Fantastic stuff.

Stratford Rise photos:

the Jesus Lizard photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Seasick
Gladiator
Boilermaker
Then Comes Dudley
Falling Down
Destroy Before Reading
Nub
Hide & Seek
Puss
Mouth Breather
What If?
Blue Shot
Monkey Trick
Grind
Wheelchair Epidemic (Dicks cover)

___________________________
Thumper
Fly on the Wall
Armistice Day
If You Had Lips
Moto(R)
___________________________
Thumbscrews
Alexis Feels Sick
Bloody Mary

 Photos & Words – David McEneanery @experimentzero