Live at The Brook, Southampton
Some bands have a sound that instantly transports you back to a particular era, yet still manage to sound fresh, exciting and relevant decades later. The Blow Monkeys are certainly one of those bands.
I had the pleasure of attending and photographing The Blow Monkeys at The Brook in Southampton, and it was a wonderful opportunity to capture a band that has made such a distinctive contribution to British pop and soul music.
Fronted by the charismatic Dr Robert, The Blow Monkeys have always stood apart from their contemporaries, combining sophisticated pop, soul, funk and jazz influences with intelligent songwriting and memorable melodies.
Dr Robert – Still the Heart of The Blow Monkeys
Dr Robert remains the unmistakable voice and personality behind the band.
His distinctive vocal delivery, guitar playing and natural stage presence are central to the group’s identity. There is an effortless style about the music, combining soulful expression with catchy rhythms and beautifully constructed arrangements.
As a live music photographer, I particularly enjoy capturing musicians who bring personality and character to the stage, and The Blow Monkeys certainly provide plenty of photographic opportunities.
Concert Review & Photography – Blondell Photographic
The Music – A Journey Through the Years
The evening’s set list brought together some of the band’s best-known recordings alongside material demonstrating their continuing musical creativity.
Opening with Wicked Ways, the performance moved through a varied selection of songs, including Birdsong, Seventh Day and (Celebrate) The Day After You.
Of course, no celebration of The Blow Monkeys’ music would feel complete without their classic hits.
It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way remains one of their most recognisable recordings, with its infectious rhythm and distinctive soulful character.
Choice? and Out With Her are further reminders of the band’s ability to combine thoughtful songwriting with accessible, memorable pop music.
And then there is Digging Your Scene, arguably one of their most enduring songs and a wonderful example of the sophisticated pop sound that made The Blow Monkeys so distinctive during the 1980s.
The Set List – The Brook, Southampton
Taken from the band’s stage set list:
- Wicked Ways
- Birdsong
- Seventh Day
- (Celebrate) The Day After You
- It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way
- The Coming of Grace
- Choice?
- Out With Her
- Said Too Much
- Time Storm
- You Don’t Own Me
- Digging Your Scene
- Wait
- The Wild River
- Encore: Listed on the original set list, although the encore song titles were not recorded in the version I have.
The original stage sheet also showed Spirit Level crossed out, with Birdsong added as a handwritten amendment.
The Musicianship
What makes The Blow Monkeys particularly appealing is the way their music combines different styles without losing its identity.
The bass lines, guitar arrangements and rhythms are an essential part of their sound, giving the songs a wonderful mixture of soul, funk and pop.
There is a musical sophistication to their work that is sometimes overlooked when discussing bands associated with the 1980s.
Their songs have a depth and individuality that extend well beyond simple nostalgia.
The Brook – An Intimate Live Music Experience
The Brook in Southampton is an excellent setting for bands with this kind of musical history.
Unlike larger concert venues, it offers an intimate atmosphere where audiences can feel genuinely connected to the musicians.
For me, photographing live performances is about capturing more than just the artists on stage. It is about the expressions, interaction, atmosphere and those brief moments that tell the story of the evening.
Final Thoughts
The Blow Monkeys are a reminder of just how much creativity and individuality emerged from the British music scene during the 1980s.
Their ability to blend soul, pop, funk and jazz into something recognisably their own has given their music a lasting appeal.
With Dr Robert at the forefront, the band continues to represent a distinctive chapter of British musical history.
A thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to experience and photograph The Blow Monkeys at The Brook, Southampton.
Concert review and live photography by Blondell Photographic
www.blondellphotographic.co.uk