The New Year came early last night in Hackney as a trio of bands performed for Japan’s New Year’s World Rock Festival – the world’s longest running music show.
The show is the Japanese equivalent of Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, and showcases up-and-coming bands from across the world. Representing the UK was an all-star cast of Misty Miller, Black Honey and The Near Death Experience, all performing in the truly wonderful Moth Club in Hackney.
The Moth Club is a fascinating venue. MOTH stands for Memorable Order of Tin Hats, an ex-service organisation founded in 1927 by Charles Evenden as a brotherhood of South African former front-line soldiers [—]
The General Browning MOTH Club – the full name of the Hackney branch – has been hosting activities for its members for many years, and last year the people behind the Shacklewell Arms and The Lock Tavern got involved in putting on events there. [—]
The venue has an old fashioned front bar, with a glitter-encrusted ballroom next door.
The ballroom is liberally doused in gold, with a gold stage backdrop and a sparkling gold roof.
First on stage was the The Near Death Experience, pumping out fast, sharp and passionate soul. The singer very much dressed for the occasion.
The singer had a big voice – and a terrific outfit.
The venue was a great place to see live music: the sound was nothing short of amazing and just look at that gold glittery ceiling!
Misty Miller and her band delivered another stellar performance, full of passion, emotion and raw energy.
This lady danced with so much flamboyant energy she should have been on the stage as well!
Seeing as it was being filmed for Fuji TV’s New Year’s Eve show, we all had to pretend that it was the start of 2016, with the compère leading us through the countdown.
Happy New Year!
Much festive hugging took place on stage.
The last act on was Black Honey, a fast and fun garage/grunge outfit from Brighton led by the charismatic Izzy B. Phillips.
With the bands finished by 10.30pm, I took a last look around the club.
Scene in the front bar.
More: Moth Club website.
Chat about the gig and the Moth Club here.
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