Geordie Greep Concert Review

Written by Dana Mautone

Edited by Soph Shull

Photo Credits: Dana Mautone

Geordie Greep rose to prominence from his involvement as the lead singer and guitarist in the British post-punk/noise rock band Black Midi. During his time in the band, he became known for his unique vocals and impressive electric guitar skills. 

Black Midi’s hiatus was announced by Greep via an Instagram livestream in August of 2024, and he also announced his debut solo album, The New Sound, 10 days later. The album, released in October of 2024, was met with generally positive reviews; with critics complimenting his colorful, eccentric lyricism and experimentation with many musical styles. The accompanying tour kicked off shortly after, and on January 14th, 2025 I saw Geordie Greep perform live. 

The concert took place in the basement of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. It’s often rented out by promoters to put on shows for local metal/punk bands or smaller indie artists. It was homey and intimate; fitting about 200 people. There was an alphabet play mat lining the stage and speakers with “do not climb” signs standing tall on each side. My friend and I arrived around 45 minutes early and had no trouble securing a spot directly in the center one row away from the barricade. 

The opener, NNAMDÏ, came onstage around 8 pm wearing a Quinta Brunson bootleg tee and a baseball cap with a ghost giving double middle fingers. He performed a set of electronic pop songs with alternative rock elements sprinkled throughout them. 

It was an interesting contrast to Geordie Greep’s usual prog-rock-inspired sound. He had an electrifying presence, dancing along to his lyrics and frequently encouraging the crowd to participate. For one of his later songs, “Dedication” he did a call and response with the audience, jumped off of the stage at the end, ran through the crowd, and made a one-man mosh pit. He was a lively and entertaining performer who seemed passionate about his music, and I am glad this concert exposed me to him as an artist.

Photo Credits: Dana Mautone

At 9 pm, Geordie Greep and his band waltzed onto the stage. They were instantly met with roaring cheers and shouted praises from the crowd. After the noise died down, Greep assuredly muttered a slight, “very good” into the microphone and got right into the performance. 

They played through the majority of The New Sound starting with “Walk Up,” a fan favorite unreleased Black Midi track turned Geordie Greep solo track, which is my personal favorite off of the album. There was a break from Greep’s work around the middle of the set with a cover of Willie Colón’s “Cua cua ra, cua cua” sung by the percussionist, Santiago Moyano. 

It was refreshing to hear a different voice and a slight change in musical style. The concluding song was “The Magician,” a booming theatrical piece that builds upon itself until about the midway point, where it becomes quiet for a brief moment, then ramps back up to punch you in the face with double the intensity. 

What stuck out to me the most about this concert were the songs “The New Sound” and “Bongo Seasons”, instrumentals on the album that are snippets of larger jam sessions. They followed the structure and hit the same beats as the songs on the album but doubled or tripled in length with additional improvisation from Greep and the band. 

Throughout these mini jam sessions, the chemistry of the band was able to shine through. They communicated in their own language, with little nods and smiles exchanged between band members that would completely transform a soft Latin groove to a harsh noise rock breakdown. The music flowed so casually and naturally; it felt like I was listening to a band practice and experiment in their garage. It was an organic performance that showcased the artists’ technical skills and the band’s pure synergy. 

When going to concerts, the main thing I look for is if I could get the same experience sitting at home listening to the song on streaming. This concert passed the test by being a one-of-a-kind magical experience. 

Setlist:

Walk Up

Terra

The New Sound

Through a War 

Cua cua ra, cua cua

As if Waltz

Holy, Holy

Blues

Bongo Season

The Magician