Live: Rat Boy brings new tricks to expected chaos

<em><strong>Photos: <a href="https://www.ryanjohnston.co/">Ryan Johnston</a></strong></em> Jordan Cardy and his gang of Rat Boy pals are on prime rabble-rousing form as they take to the stage for the first leg of their UK tour at Glasgow’s ABC. There’s a certain degree of anticipation before any Rat Boy gig. You don’t know quite what you’re going to get but you do know it’s going to be thrilling whatever happens. This time around excitement is at fever pitch as Rat Boy arrive in town with a bunch of new songs to preview from that forthcoming long-awaited debut album. Not that the expectation bothers Jordan and co as they attack the songs and bounce around the stage with typical reckless abandon. ‘Turn Round M8’ instantly sets the crowd off like a firecracker has been lit and they respond in kind to Jordan’s incitement to jump around and sing at the top of their voices. There’s something truly intoxicating when Rat Boy’s high energy Beastie Boys infected indie fusion is in full flow. Previous singles like last summers ‘Get Over It’ are delivered in supercharged versions that are thrillingly ragged and threaten to fall apart at any minute. Rat Boy are now pros at this game though and they always maintain the show and just about keep themselves in one piece. There is evidence of a growing assurance to Rat Boy. The bunch of new songs played are distinctive and highlight there’s more to Rat Boy than snotty punk. There’s even a genuine arms in the air singalong anthem that would grace any classic Britpop compilation and Jordan feigns surprise that the crowd would dance to a ‘love song’ like one of the new acoustic tinged tracks. Latest single ‘Revolution’ gets a huge reaction befitting of Rat Boy’s biggest banger yet. It’s at moments like this that you can imagine Jordan and his crew playing any stage in the country. Of course, as the show careers towards its climax things begin to break down as they deliver ramshackle versions of old favourites ‘Move’ and ‘Fake ID’. Everyone laps it up though, this is the Rat Boy that they came to see. Tonight is definitely a step up for Rat Boy. The stage is decorated and filled with props – road traffic signs, nothing too fancy, and it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into putting on a performance, see for example the GTA style radio DJ that punctuates the gap between songs. However, as Jordan leaves the stage doing a celebratory lap on his trusty bicycle it’s clear this is the same old Rat Boy we fell for.