Fat Dog - Liverpool’s Rough Trade Descends Into Beautiful Chaos
Rough Trade, Liverpool 7th October 2026
IMAGES L J HUBBARD / WORDS GEORGE CONNELL
Seven-piece electronic-alt rock group Fat Dog have burst onto the scene in the last six years, offering up a scathing combination of art-pop, old-school dance, and punk that has earned them a devoted fanbase. Gaining a reputation for their high-intensity live shows and unique sound, Fat Dog are easily one of the more groundbreaking acts in the UK at the moment.
After a two-year wait since their debut album WOOF, the band have returned with their sophomore full-length EP, titled Cancel Me (I’m Tired). Discussing themes of tour exhaustion, frustration with the modern world, and cancel culture, as well as addiction and alien life, this album truly has no limits in its range.
As Liverpool’s Rough Trade filled up, it was clear that this gig was going to be insane. With devoted fans queuing eagerly down the road, the turnout for this gig said enough before the band even walked on stage: Fat Dog are certainly something special. It was great to see the diversity of the fans too, with a notable amount of older and middle-aged punters packing out the barrier with over an hour to go until the band walked on.
After a dramatic walk-on to the Superman theme tune, the group were met with rapturous cheering, breaking the sound barrier before the drums had even kicked in. Immediately after the guitars kicked in on track one (‘Smile and Wave’) the mosh pit opened up, welcoming frontman Joe Love with open arms as he yelled into his microphone (thankfully now working after a brief technical hiccup minutes earlier) about tour exhaustion and the draining nature of the music industry.
From the very beginning of this gig it was clear that Fat Dog were not to be messed with, retaining the control of the crowd from the first kick of the drums to the very last chord, it appeared almost effortless. Some bands were born to perform, and Fat Dog is definitely one of them.
As the group raged on through their setlist, it was hard not to notice the diversity and raw emotion present in their music. Not only do the songs excel in the delivery of their themes, but the scope of musicianship in this outfit is just incredible. Ranging from spaghetti-western, blues, metal, punk, post-punk, indie rock, folk, and even art-pop influences, Fat Dog truly stand out as one of the pioneers of the scene.
“The Devil” was a personal standout track in this set, a blunt, punk-infused commentary on virtue-signalling influencers. Calling out people who “grow (their) fridge out to hide (their) horns,” Fat Dog do not hold back in making their opinions clear. In an age of political performativism, this message could not be more poignant.
“Bad Dog” and “Cancel Me (I’m Tired)” also stood out as particularly strong tracks, maintaining the “barking lunacy” of the set while keeping it fresh and exciting. With a raw, unapologetic bravado, the band had no issues holding the crowd's attention captive with back to back, high-octane tunes, even getting the crowd barking back at them with little to no effort at all. That is no easy feat.
The set ended with hit single “Running,” pushing the already sky-high adrenaline levels of the audience through the ceiling. An honest portrayal of anxiety, compulsion, and internal crisis, it is no shock that this track was the crowd-favourite. Opening up the mosh pit for the final time, the small, dimly-lit hall developed into absolute chaos, the crowd yelling the lyrics back at Love with a ferocious intensity.
Much to the despair of their fans, “Running” was the band's final track. As the driving drums and scathing synths winded down and the group sauntered off stage, it felt almost as if they had unfinished business.
There is no question of whether Fat Dog left their mark on Rough Trade, that was undeniably clear, but will the band leave their mark on the UK scene with the album? Absolutely. They already have. Fusing discotheque with punk, Fat Dog are a grungy successor to the likes of LCD Soundsystem, and are sure to become a staple of modern music- it’s only a matter of time.
SET LIST
Smile and Wave
Shit Love
Show me the way
Cancel me (i’m tired)
Call it what u want
Go fuck urself
Wither
Jam
The Devil
Aliens
Bad Dog
Running
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