The Wedding Present Celebrate 40 Years with a Spirited, Nostalgic Set in Bristol
- Sam Holt
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Bristol O2 Academy, Friday 3rd October 2025
WORDS / IMAGES SAM HOLT
The Wedding Present’s much-anticipated 40th Anniversary Tour made a welcome stop at the Bristol O2 Academy. Although David Gedge remains the only original member from the band’s early days, he continues to lead a line-up that keeps the spirit of the Leeds-based group alive and well. For this leg of the tour, Gedge was joined by Rachel Wood on guitar, Chris Hardwick on drums, and the newest recruit, Stuart Hastings, on bass.
The evening began with a lively set from Mozart Estate, formerly known as Go-Kart Mozart. Led by the ever-charismatic Lawrence, the band delivered a short but engaging collection of synth-pop and indie tracks. They opened with several songs from their 2012 album On the Hotdog Streets, setting an upbeat tone for the night. The rhythm section was tight, the keyboard textures diverse, and the vocal harmonies nicely balanced. Despite the polished performance, the track Summer Is Here felt slightly ironic considering the lashing rain and high winds outside courtesy of Storm Amy. The band closed with Don’t Throw My Tenner Away, a song that took on added meaning as Lawrence wore the phrase on his wristband—a small but fitting personal touch.
Just before 9 p.m., The Wedding Present took to the stage and launched into some of their more recent material—songs that, for me at least, were new discoveries. Early in the set came a track called Rachel. Gedge humorously clarified that, despite its title, it wasn’t written about guitarist Rachel Wood, though it did give her a chance to unleash a few Van Halen-style licks. Later, he explained that the setlist was arranged in reverse chronological order, starting with newer songs and gradually working backward through the decades. The concept worked well, though one audience member—perhaps not quite following the idea—shouted a request for something from 2005, only for Gedge to quip, “We’re already in the 1990s!”
When introducing a trio of songs from Bizarro, Gedge paused to ask, “Do people say Brassneck or Brasneck?” He reasoned it might depend on the local accent—a comment that drew laughter from the crowd. Brassneck itself went down a storm, sparking enthusiastic applause, dancing, and plenty of singalongs. I couldn’t help but recall Kennedy’s famous quip about “too much apple pie” as the crowd revelled in the song’s energy. The band then dipped further back in time to deliver a trio of tracks from their classic 1987 debut George Best, much to the audience’s delight.
The set concluded with their very first single, Go Out and Get ’Em Boy. As I stepped out into the damp Bristol night, that trademark jangly guitar sound was still ringing in my ears—a sure sign of a gig well worth braving the weather for.
Although this was my first time seeing The Wedding Present live, it quickly became clear how much more vibrant and dynamic their music feels in person. The sound was crisp and balanced, and while the lighting was on the darker side, it suited the band’s moody, indie aesthetic perfectly. It was a shame the turnout wasn’t larger—perhaps the miserable weather kept some away—but those who made it were rewarded with an outstanding performance and a warm, communal atmosphere.
Setlist:
Two For The Road
I Am Not Going To Fall In Love Again
Rachel
Deer Caught In The Headlights
Don’t Take Me Home Until I’m Drunk
Interstate 5
Kansas
Click Click
Blue Eyes
Flying Saucer
Corduroy
Dalliance
Dare
Brassneck
Kennedy
Bewitched
Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft
A Million Miles
My Favourite Dress
Go Out And Get ’Em Boy
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