Polish Club are a fantastic live act – exactly how good was brought into sharp focus by Thursday night’s stellar performance at The Gov.

As we emerge from COVID gig cancellations and former density restrictions, and with those postponed tours now coming back our way, there’s a renewed appreciation for the live show – both from performer and audience. We can’t take it for granted anymore and experiencing it again makes you realise what’s been missing. That brings a whole new energy to a gig.

Energy is something that a Polish Club show always has in spades, and the new reality only heightens this. The gig was a lesson in old school rock swagger: loud and loose – and punctuated by shots of whiskey from the stage and some hilarious banter.

Having first touring here as two-piece, the band lineup seems to expand each time they play – now performing with four members. This allows for greater depth of sound and frees David Novak fully to be that a charismatic frontman that he is, while still retaining the fantastic chemistry he enjoys with drummer, John-Henry Pajak. And Novak’s voice is remains unparalleled in the genre.

After being forced to wait to tour their 2021 album, Now We’re Cooking, the set opened with a trio of songs from that record, before offering up the new groove of the latest single ‘Unstable’. Polish Club are experts at crafting a rockin’ party tune but can also cleverly package this up around an important social statement, such as their second song for the night, ‘Stop For a Minute’, focusing on hypocrisy in the music industry. In a similar vein, we were treated to new song, ‘Boy’s On Vacation’ about Scott Morrison (with a hint that this may soon enjoy a release).

As well as the new, there was plenty of the old for the loyal fanbase – who particularly enjoyed a sing-along to ‘Don’t Fuck Me Over’ and enough sprinklings from the band’s first two LPs.

And as we have come to expect, there were also a few covers thrown in – the highlight being a visceral rendition of Foo Fighter’s ‘Everlong’. It was also no surprise that the night ended with their most famous collaboration of recent times – the re-Wiggled version ‘Apples and Bananas’. No bright skivvies here – just intoxicating fun!

A special mention should also go to some aptly curated support acts in Press Club and Molly Rocket. In particular, Press Club brought an energy that prepared the room for the main act, with singer Natalie Foster throwing herself (and her hair) around the stage and into the audience in a powerful performance that showcased new material from this excellent four-piece.

Live gigs are certainly back!

Reviewed by Matthew Trainor