The global pandemic meant we had to wait three years for the last Vive Le Rock Awards Show in 2023, so it’s a welcome return for the magazine’s annual ceremony and it’s gone back to its spiritual home at Islington O2 Academy. Promising five hours of music, awards, tributes, numerous guests and a few surprises along the way, it should be a cracking night.

Providing the backdrop for the first half of the night are the Vive Le Rockers, a feisty cavalcade of musicians led by the ever flamboyant Paul-Ronney Angel. Opening with the instrumental surf rock perfection that is The Chantays ‘Pipeline’, the band are soon joined by a succession of musical talent. Lily from young upstarts, The Meffs performs a blistering version of ‘Bad Reputation’ whilst local legend Alan Clayton from Dirty Strangers performs a crowd pleasing ‘Gold Cortina’. The Vive Le Rockers - Apr 24
Lily - The Meffs - Apr 24 Paul-Ronney Angel & Alan Clayton - Apr 24 In the first of tonight’s tributes, Paul Ronney leads the band into the Pogues ‘The Old Main Drag’ and ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’ as we all remember the late Shane MacGowan. Casino Steel joins Paul-Ronney for a couple of numbers although it may be a little early to sing ‘Thank God This Bar is Closing’. Everyone’s favourite elder statesman punk, Charlie Harper comes on stage to sing a very well received ‘CID’ before being given a celebratory cake in respect of his impending 80^th birthday next month. Casino Steel - Apr 24

Charlie Harper - Apr 24

Tonight’s compare is the returning Beki Bondage who charms the crowd whilst the chaos of herding presenters, winners and the awards themselves goes on backstage. Grade 2 deservedly win best new band whilst Spike from The Quireboys presents the best album award to The Damned for the excellent ‘Darkedelic’. Ruts DC reminisce about their long association with Kirk Brandon before giving him the ‘Voice of a Generation’ award. A gushing Saffron from Republica presents the ‘Icon’ award to the legendary performer, and now massive internet star, Toyah. Beki Bondage - Apr 24

The Vive Le Rockers return aided by Beki Bondage to pay tribute to Geordie Walker (with Gizz Butt) and Tina Turner respectively with versions of Killing Joke’s ‘Requiem’ and an incendiary ‘Nutbush City Limits’. Chris Spedding who had earlier received a ‘guitar legend’ award from Neal X, comes on stage for a couple of numbers. With a career lasting over 50 years, the list of people Chris has played with and the important albums he has appeared on would fill a telephone book, so it is good to see him play especially with the full band accompanying him on ‘Motor Bikin’. Beki Bondage & Gizz Butt - Apr 24 Chris Spedding - Apr 24 Saffron joins the band to sing ‘Ready To Go’ closely followed by Toyah performing a glorious ‘I Want To Be Free’. Head honcho at Vive Le Rock, Eugene Butcher, comes out to perform a raucous ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ with Gizz Butt demonstrating his dexterity on the fretboard. As is the case nowadays, the list of iconic musicians leaving us this year is growing painfully big and it is left to Jim Jones to pay final respects to Wayne Kramer and John Sinclair with a suitably bombastic version of MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’. Saffron (Republica) - Apr 24 Toyah - Apr 24

Eugene Butcher - Apr 24 Jim Jones - Apr 24 After a short break we are on to the headline sets. Theatre of Hate have always been an enjoyable live band and it is good to see Kirk up and running again after recent health issues. Starting with the spaghetti western stomp of ‘Do You Believe in the Westworld’, the pace does not let up with ‘Original Sin’ following. 2020’s ‘You Can’t Stop What’s Coming’ slots nicely into the set with its dominating sax underpinned by Kirk’s unmistakable vocals. It’s back to the early days for the run in with ‘Judgement Hymn’ followed by ‘Incinerator’ and set closer ‘Propaganda’ which still sounds essential today.

Theatre of Hate - Apr 24 Theatre of Hate - Apr 24 Theatre of Hate - Apr 24 There’s one more award to give out and that is best live band, which goes to Ruts DC. One of the most consistent live bands out there, handily they are next on the lineup, so they immediately launch into ‘Psychic Attack’ and ‘Kill the Pain’ from 2016’s excellent ‘Music Must Destroy’ album. The chilled out reggae of ‘Jah War’ is always one of the highlights of a Ruts DC set. Zac Starkey joins the band on second guitar to take us back to the beginning with ‘In a Rut’ and a superb rendition of ‘Babylon’s Burning’. It’s a short set and reminds me I need to see the band more often. Ruts DC - Apr 24 Ruts DC - Apr 24
Ruts DC - Apr 24 Sham 69 have had a checkered past but whilst Jimmy Pursey is fronting the band, you are always going to get some good old fashioned in your face street punk aggression. Staring down the audience and frequently launching water towards into them, he goads the assembled room into action and the crowd starts to bounce around. ‘What Have We Got’ sets the scene with its ‘fuck all’ call and response. ‘Borstal Breakout’ is an early highlight and the final run in of ‘Angels with Dirty Faces’, ‘If the Kids are United’, and ‘Hersham Boys’ is almost perfect. By the time the band finish the set with the iconic ‘Hurry Up Harry’, the whole room is singing along. Sham 69 - Apr 24 Sham 69 - Apr 24 Sham 69 - Apr 24 With the main bar remaining open till 1am, there’s plenty of chance to catch up with friends and various band members after the show. Slightly chaotic as expected in places but overall good fun all the same.