Pet Needs energetic punk rock lands in Southampton, on course for 139 shows this year

Pet Needs are a punk-rock band from the UK, currently touring their second album Primetime Entertainment, produced by touring mate and punk icon Frank Turner. Incredibly on course to deliver 139 shows this year. We caught the band at Southampton’s grassroots music venue, The Joiners, for a sold out show. Down the front were a group of 15 or so devotees, part of the bands ‘fractured party people’ fan group; A following many upcoming bands would dream of, as the don’t just attend multiple shows, they crowdfund merchandise to support the band, design and make posters, t-shirts, stickers etc.

Frontman Johnny Marriott literally didn’t stand still, running back and forth the length of the stage, jumping with flayling arms, inciting the crowd to match his energy, and they obligingly did so, hands in the air, singing along to almost every lyric. This was fast-paced, energetic punk-rock and everyone in the room was loving it.

A solid set of 17 songs, including from their first album release Fractured Party Music. Highlights included “Punk Isn’t Dead; It’s Just Up For Sale”, lyrics written across drummer Jack Lock’s t-shirt, from their 2017 debut EP As Kites Fly By Pylons. Support Bridget joined them on stage to duet on “The Argument”, which she also sings on the latest album, another highlight of the show.

Support was from Bridget, a superb post-punk grunge artist, who definitely set the energy level for the headline act. She successfully encouraged a mosh pit from an unsuspecting audience for her unreleased song “Jump in the Pit”. An exciting new artist.