Phil Wolvin 
Nothing prepares you for the first time you see Fat Dog. Streaming music never reflects the intensity of the live performance. Last night Fat Dog headlined the Stylus stage at Live at Leeds and I left mind blown. What had I just witnessed?
Where to start? Genre? Everything. A heavy blend of post punk, rock, electronica, ska, a thumping Euro hardcore beat, basslines reminiscent of New Order at their peak, and rhythm sections that would fit the Rio carnival. There are cinematic interludes where you picture floating down the Nile with pyramids in the background, Sade style sax, bursts of klezmer, and then a switch into a Berlin techno club. This is not your average band. It is far bigger than average.
So, what is actually on stage? It almost looks like an orchestra. Drummer, percussionist, violin, saxophone, synths, bass, guitar and a master of chaos, with frontman Joe Love spending most of his time face to face with the crowd, inches from those lucky enough to be at the barrier.
A buzz builds from the start as they go through a long line check. A two minute countdown precedes the band and then they go straight into Vigilante, a perfect opener with a long building sample, drums, synths, a little guitar, building until a huge drop hits and chaos erupts in the best way. The Stylus floor bounces from front to back. I have rarely seen a crowd like this.
For the second song, Chris Hughes swaps the synths for the centre of the mosh pit. The blue cap disappears in a mass of jumping bodies, enjoying every second. During the intro to ‘Wither’ Chris and Morgan break out some fearless dance moves with Chris “dying” on stage. Chaos surrounds everything, but do not mistake it for disorder. This performance is tight. Hours of practice are clear in every timing change.
Backstage a couple of hours earlier, we filmed an interview for the Tim Senna Live at Leeds vlog. The group relaxed in a large but windowless room. Rider half finished, Chris and Morgan took the lead in conversation and remembered meeting cameraman Tom at a Cardiff gig where he was running a bake sale. Calm ruled the room, Joe creating ideas on a mini Roland synth before heading to the stage.
There are so many standout moments, from the crowd singing along to ‘Peace Song’ to massive variations of ‘King of Slugs’ with inflatable crowns held high. Who starts a career with a seven minute song about slugs? We demand originality and creativity. Here it is. Drink it in.
If you want something unique, something beyond two guitars and a bass, something uplifting with beats as varied as a Vegas buffet, Fat Dog have it. Today we feasted from a musical buffet I did not know existed.
Consider me part of the pack. WOOF indeed.
The next live date for Fat Dog is currently Bearded Theory Festival in Derbyshire, May 2026.
Find Tim Senna on YouTube for this interview soon and on Twitch every Tuesday at 6pm and Sunday at 7pm.
Colin