Live Report: New Model Army roll back the years with first-rate Opium display

In 1980s Ireland and UK there were many style tribes - punks, goths, heavy metalers, indie kids, ravers, mods, casuals, crusties, grebos, psycho billy’s, teddy boys (yes, there were still some around) and more besides. New Model Army was formed in Bradford, England, in 1980.

Arguably, bridging the punk, goth, indie and crustie scenes. Hard to pigeon hole though thanks largely to Justin Sullivan, the bands founder - the only original remaining member and the driving force of New Model Army - who is the reason the band is thankfully still around and evolving.

Those who remember their fans from back in the 80’s, will recall a group of clog wearing, hand-painted (often emulating New Model Arny’s artwork created by Joolz) leather biker jacket clad fans. Many of them were dedicated fans who followed New Model Army as they increasingly toured the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The mosh pit (which was simply referred to as being ‘up the front’ back then) at a New Model Army gig was a muscular affair - with fans stripped to the waist with celtic/paganesque tattoos on display; long hair and arms flailing; and many people standing (not sitting) on other people’s shoulders. The latter was an impressive sight! New Model Army gigs in those early years were a spectacle where band and audience connected at a visceral level.

Tonight, 44 years since they formed, New Model Army are playing in Dublin's Opium on Wexford St. An intimate venue with a capacity of 700. As the crowd gathers; ‘up the front’ looks to be more of a meaty affair with less muscle and less hair. I once saw New Model Army play two consecutive nights next door in Whelans. Lead singer Justin Sullivan opened each night and I didn't hear the same song twice!

Tonight as the band takes to the stage the anticipation is palpable - with such a massive back catalogue and a band that are able to dip into it seemingly without effort - no one knows which of their favourite songs they might hear tonight (I was hoping for ‘Poison Street’, a classic of theirs from 1986). They open with a robust rendition of ‘Coming or Going’ from their latest album ‘Unbroken’, before they work passionately through an impressive set made up of tracks from across their back catalogue.

Two songs in and the second guitar amp malfunctions, the band handles it well finishing the song, but there’s a natural lull while guitar technicians and band members try to figure things out. Justin Sullivan adapts and plays a wonderful acoustic version of ‘Better Than Them’ from their 1985 album ‘No Rest for The Wicked’. Second guitar all sorted and the band storm
through the rest of the gig with no more hitches.

Other highlights, in no particular order, included ‘Stormclouds’ with it’s amazing drums shaking the venue; ‘225’ released in 1989 the lyrics standing the test of time; ‘Green and Grey’ many people were up on others’ shoulders for this one; the flailing arms and singalongs were aplenty throughout for songs like ‘First Summer After’, ‘No Greater Love’, ‘Angry Planet’ ‘What a Wonderful Way To Go’ and many more. They left their fans with their first single ‘Bitter Sweet’, ‘No Rest’ and ‘Get Me Out’.

They didn’t play ‘Poison Street’ tonight as I had hoped for, but with New Model Army there’s always the next time.

During the gig I spoke to people around me and it was practically a 50/50 split of people who were seeing New Model Army for the first time and others who were seasoned fans with multiple previous gigs under their belts. As we left, without fail, faces were beaming with the word ‘brilliant’ on many people's lips.