Slaves perform “Sockets” at Reading 2015. Visit the Reading 2015 website for more videos and photos.
Slaves whipped up a storm. Reading was the festival they were born to play – even the band themselves think so: “Reading is the best festival in the world”, announced singer/drummer Isaac Holman before bursting into a concrete-smashing rendition of ‘The Hunter’.
Taking a moment of reflection was never Slaves’ wheelhouse, as they rambled quickly about the death of Laurie’s pet goldfish, Gerald. “Ger-ald, Ger-ald, Ger-ald”, the crowd chanted in remembrance of the aquatic companion they never knew. That’s how dedicated Slaves fans are.
The blues-tinged studio versions of the songs dissipate as Slaves perform their raw, more confrontational (if such a thing is possible) renditions of ‘Where’s Your Car, Debbie’, ‘7am’ and ‘Sockets’.
Slaves’ performance was the literal encapsulation of search and destroy.
The Fat Angel Sings 