Some gigs don’t just start — they detonate. Payola’s return to the iconic Spice of Life felt like a controlled explosion in the tight-packed basement, a wall of sound so thick and relentless it shook the room clean off its axis. With Dave Farley prowling centre-stage like a spark about to hit petrol, the band delivered a set that wasn’t just loud — it was alive.
Opening with “Born Out of Frustration”, Payola set the tone early: sharp-edged, widescreen indie-rock channelled through a band playing like they’ve got something to prove and absolutely no intention of holding back. The track hit with a heavy swagger, Scott Forsyth firing out electrifying riffs that sliced right through the room while Robbie and Matt locked into a rhythm so tight it felt glued to the floorboards.
“The Way It All Begins” followed — a statement track, expansive and driving, the kind of song that feels like a band mapping out their future in real time. Dave’s energy here was ridiculous: pacing, leaning over the edge of the stage, commanding the room with the kind of presence that would’ve fit right in at the Astoria back in its heyday.
Early in the set came “Ivory Tickler”, a future single that already feels like a foundation stone in their catalogue. Punchy, fast-paced and dripping in swagger and soul, it perfectly captured Payola’s identity: sharp riffs, heavy groove, and a chorus that hits like a runaway train. Even when the tempo dipped momentarily, it only added to the attitude — a strut before the sprint. If this is what’s coming next for the band, they’re onto something big.
But it was the mid-set run where Payola truly levelled up.
“Everywhere Light Can’t See” hit with cinematic force — all tension and lift, the sound thick enough to drown out Soho itself. The band were in full stride by this point, and Craig Edmonds deserves special credit: his drumming was outrageous all night, thunderous but razor-precise, driving every chorus into overdrive.
Then came the moment — “Pulse Jet Man” — the track that turned the basement into a sweat-soaked chorus pit. As soon as the riff landed, the crowd took over, roaring back “I’m Pulse Jet Man, c’mon!” like it was a long-lost national anthem. Payola didn’t play this song; they unleashed it, and the crowd met them blow for blow.
And if that wasn’t enough, they closed with “Wait”, the brand-new single and an instant statement of intent. Live, it hit even harder — moody, propulsive, and crafted with a confidence of a band who know exactly where they’re heading. It landed with real weight, the kind of finale that doesn’t just end a set, it underlines it.
Payola walked off leaving the room buzzing, battered, and hungry for more — a band firing on all cylinders, hitting their stride with a set that felt like a breakthrough moment.
In a city full of noise, Payola made theirs impossible to ignore.
Payola Socials
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