Live Report: revellers galore at Levellers' Button Factory Gig

I first saw  Levellers play on 11th May 1989 at Thames Polytechnic in Woolwich South East London, a gig in a small dingy basement bar. It was a great gig with songs of love and anti-establishment sentiment. Not to mention the catchy sing along choruses that The Levellers do so well! I remember Justin Sullivan of New Model Army (who were at the height of their powers then) was in the audience. Him being there added some weight to proceedings for me seeing a relatively new band – who with hindsight would go on to much bigger things!

Tonight, almost 35 years later, The Leveller’s are playing the Button Factory in Dublin City Centre. There’s a loyal following here for the sold-out gig.  The band open up with 1991’s ‘Liberty’ to the delight of the audience; and when singer Mark Chadwick sings “This means nothing to me.” The crowd sings along as if this moment means absolutely everything to them.

Newest member Dan Donnelly gets a warm welcome from the Dublin crowd with the multi-instrumentalist and seasoned musician adding a huge amount to proceedings.

The band delves deep into their back catalogue – right back to the beginning. Highlights include England My Home, Sell Out, We The Collective, Another Man’s Cause, One Way of Life, 15 Years and many more besides.

Lulls are well timed throughout the gig with slower songs giving the band and the audience a breather. How Jeremey Cunningham has pogoed while playing bass for so many years is impressive – bless his knees!

Mark Chadwick ends the gig on a poignant note dedicating the song What A Beautiful Day to Shane MacGowan who recently passed away. It’s such an upbeat and positive number that it feels like a real celebration of Shane’s life…a class ending to a class evening.