LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: HYPHEN AT MOTH CLUB, LONDON 29/11/25 (+ JOOLS)
TW: the following review contains mentions of substance abuse and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.
The MOTH Club, usually steeped in vintage glamour, was transformed into a sweaty crucible of political urgency on November 29th, thanks to the double bill of Jools and the rapidly ascending political punk force, Hyphen. The sold-out show was electric, setting the stage for one of the most physically demanding nights the venue has seen this year.
The evening kicked off with Jools, a powerful British rock band split between London and Leicester, known for their post-punk flair and theatrical command of the stage. The six-piece band - featuring lead vocalists Mitch Gordon and Kate Price, along with Joe Dodd (bass), Chris Johnston (guitar), Callum Connachie (guitar), and Chelsea Wrones (drums) - formed in 2019, taking their name from Jools Holland after watching Shame perform on his late-night show. Describing their sound as influenced by the Beat Generation, The Cure, Pixies, and The Streets, Jools quickly gained traction with singles like ‘Hysterical Starving Naked’ and the pro-socialist ‘Spineless’, earning comparisons to post-punk bands like IDLES and Shame. Their intense sound gained significant backing from BBC Radio One's Daniel P Carter, who championed their tracks ‘How Can Some Experience What Pride is Without Liberation For All?’ and '97%'. Having signed to Hassle Records and toured extensively in support of acts like Black Foxxes, Boston Manor, and Hot Milk, their stage presence is now battle-tested.
Their set started with a sharp attention grab via synchronised stomps timed to the drums, plunging into the urgency of their first song. Main vocalist Mitch Gordon later delivered a deeply personal and moving statement that framed the band’s entire mission as a legacy: "I lost my father to alcohol addiction and ultimately, that's why he's not here anymore. I didn't judge him for it, I showed him love, patience, strength, compassion and most importantly, I gave him something to believe in and that's this fucking band that's standing in front of you." This powerful, yet vulnerable, message established the raw hope that drove the band.
The intensity peaked before the track '97%', introduced by a fierce discussion on social rage. Addressing the audience, vocalist Kate Gordon demanded rage for the way women are still treated in society: "Do you feel rage over the potential fear that someone will put something in your drink or touch somewhere where you don't want to be touched? I want you to feel rage. Because women can’t live their lives without fear that they might be next. Society should count itself very, very lucky that women like me want equality and not revenge. This is 97%, feel every word." This explosive track was a physical manifestation of that rage, with the band leaving it all on stage with a setlist filled with powerful social commentary.
During their set, they also paid tribute to all the fashion icons who inspired their style, stating, “We’re a well-dressed band now, aren’t we?” before going into their track ‘FKA’.
Jools delivered an explosive set, proving that their potent mix of political urgency and theatrical ambitions is already too large for the MOTH Club stage, leaving the audience breathless and eagerly awaiting the scale of their next inevitable leap.
Hyphen took the stage, immediately upping the intensity to a level that made taking notes impossible as a reviewer; the energy was so active and addictive in the crowd, which speaks volumes about Hyphen’s phenomenal ability to engage his audience.
Hyphen is a UK-born rap-punk powerhouse who fuses punk energy with rap and chant-heavy soundscapes. His sound is best described as musical activism, drawing comparisons to artists like Bob Vylan and Grandson, yet he is distinctly carving out his own path. While the recorded tracks showcase his musical range—from boom-bap beats to jazz-inspired pieces - Hyphen's live performance is a pure energy experience that cannot be captured on streaming platforms; he is an artist you need to witness live.
Born in Portsmouth to Indian parents, he initially pursued a degree in Philosophy and Economics before entering corporate finance, using music as an escape tool for the harsh realities of that world. He is now a respected member of the UK punk-rap scene, having established a significant track record over the years. He has toured extensively across the UK and Europe alongside acts like Bob Vylan and performed at major festivals, including 2000trees, Latitude, and Reading & Leeds.
Hyphen acknowledged the crowd: "Sold out show! Thank you for being here I really appreciate that." His unique blend of genres was orchestrated by a stellar band featuring EJ Smartt on drums, Vishall Chopra on guitar and dhol, and Matteo on trumpet. Hyphen's heritage anchors this powerful sound: Dressed in a shirt dedicated to India, Hyphen’s roots are reflected in the use of the ancient, traditional dhol, which provides a unique rhythmic backbone to tracks like 'This Is Great Britain.' Hyphen powerfully communicated a celebration of origin, declaring that no matter where you're from, "you belong to be here," embracing heritage, belonging, and community as core themes.
The set was a raw, unrelenting stream of social critique and personal vulnerability. The political core of the set was laid bare with a chilling quote: "On October 10 a ceasefire was agreed in Gaza and since then over 300 Palestinians have been killed." This sentiment led to his next track.
The set also featured the unexpected yet fitting rendition of KNEECAP's 'H.O.O.D’.
Hyphen’s vulnerability matched his rage. Speaking about his past struggles, he shared the powerful sentiment, which served as a message of perseverance and hope: "I wrote a suicide note and now 10 years later and I’m still here and I get to do this thing. The world is tough and if you're relating with anything I’m saying, I want you to know it does get better." This raw disclosure then introduced the track 'Futuristic,' a powerful piece reflecting on those feelings and the journey since, before launching into the next wave of high-energy tracks. The contrast was completed later with the tracks 'Confidence' and 'Stay here on earth,' which act as a celebration of life and choosing to live.
Hyphen is clearly acting on advice given to him by Bob Vylan while supporting his tour - "You need to become undeniable." The night culminated in an explosion of energy with the final track, 'Marching Powder,' which Hyphen played twice, recognising the fever pitch of the crowd by calling back a viral moment: "You know when Kendrick Lamar played 'Not Like Us' 10 times? Let's do that! Let's play Marching Powder again!" This enthusiastic encore cemented the raw, shared excitement of the night.
With his latest EP, This Might Be It, earning airplay on BBC Radio 1 and a UK tour having been teased for the new year, Hyphen has definitively crossed into undeniable status a long time ago, and his current trajectory suggests the industry will soon be scrambling to keep up with him, not the other way around.
This night was a masterclass in channeling rage and vulnerability into vital music. This gig cemented the fact that Hyphen is not only one to watch, but a fundamental voice that is uniquely powerful in the live setting, confirming his place as the undisputed future of punk-rap.
Words by Vlad-Paul Ghilaș (Platform ‘96)