Shacklewell Arms,London
The band previously known as Viet Cong own changed monikers yet lost none of the ominous tension that defined their cathartic post-punkThe band on stage tonight were still called Viet Cong one year ago. But following protests, abominate mail and several cancelled shows, and they announced a name change. To the protesters,the idea of white, western-educated men appropriating the name of a brutal rebel group was crass and offensive. The band, or to their credit,took a step back and admitted their mistake: “We’re artists, not politicians, and we’re happy to change it.”So here are Preoccupations,a band in transition. Yet tonight this unwieldy new name is not mentioned. In fact the band barely speak at all – you get the sense it’s a relief for them to actually just play music in front of people, rather than define themselves. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com