The Boojums @ Strongroom Bar, London (Live Review)
- Published in Live
The Boojums
Strongroom Bar
Words & Pics by Captain Stavros
“Best Thing Out of Halifax Since Sloan? The Boojums Make Their Case in London”
No Frills and Absolute Loser provided the warm-up, but Halifax’s loudest hope turned a polite Tuesday into a total detonation.
Three Canadian bands, one tiny East London stage, and a room that felt like it might combust. No Frills, Absolute Loser, and headliners The Boojums weren’t just here to play; they were here to make you forget you had anywhere else to be.
It all started with that familiar London shuffle; crowd lingering near the bar, nursing pints until No Frills gave everyone a reason to move forward. Their set had the kind of unhurried pace that made you feel like you’d stepped into a maritime kitchen party. Having just been to the far east of Canada, it was impossible not to hear that island-time ease in the way they stretched every groove, drawing the crowd closer with every chorus.
Absolute Loser picked up where No Frills left off and tilted things towards chaos. There was a battle of the bands energy about their set, the kind of gleeful antagonism that makes you root for them even harder. They sound like they’re daring you not to like them, then reward you with melodies that worm their way into your brain and stay there for days. By the time they launched into a song about “hanging out and not having a good time”, it was clear they had no interest in compromise; and the crowd loved them for it.
Then came The Boojums. How do you describe the sun to the blind? Fucking hell, they just detonated the place. The sound didn’t just start, it exploded. The first woo slipped out before anyone could catch themselves. These misfits, this baroque mishmash of Halifax weirdos, made you proud to be Canadian even if you weren’t.
And yet, a note on etiquette, because Canada is meant to be the land of politeness, right? Their drummer, still in full Adidas tracksuit, had spent the earlier sets loudly chatting over No Frills like it was his own living room. A little tact, in both conversation and clothing choice, wouldn’t have gone amiss. Thankfully, once he sat behind the kit, all was forgiven. The rallying cry of Sarah’s vocals, when the sound desk actually let them cut through, yanked the room into line.
When she had the mic to herself there was something cathartic in Sarah’s voice, when the sound desk actually let it cut through, a rallying call that begged to be fortified with a bit more confidence didn’t just tug at the room but yanked us into line. The wooooooos became communal, primal even. It was the kind of set that made objectivity impossible.
‘Don’t Wanna Love’ sent the crowd into a frenzy and by the time they closed with ‘Meeting In The Middle’, it was clear London had been converted. The Boojums might still be playing rooms where you can touch the ceiling, but god help us all if they stay at seven-foot stages forever. They’ve got an album dropping on Halloween, and judging by tonight’s detonation, it might just be the best thing out of Halifax since Sloan.
Walking out into Shoreditch, ears ringing, the chants of “Gravy” still echoing somewhere behind you, there’s only one thought: please let this not be their last visit.
