Kid Kapichi Live At The Key Club Review

Words & Photography: Lewis Pettitt

There’s something special about a Tuesday night sellout, especially in a grassroots

venue like The Key Club, and Kid Kapichi made sure Leeds knew exactly why the

place was packed wall to wall.

Opening support came from Dream Nails, who set the tone perfectly with their high-

octane punk attitude and razor-sharp lyricism, priming the crowd for the main event.

When Kid Kapichi hit the stage, the room erupted. From the first note, there was

movement to every song; a sea of limbs, mosh pits, and sweat-fuelled unity that

didn’t let up for a second. New England, featuring Bob Vylan, absolutely popped off,

with the crowd spat every lyric back flawlessly with raw passion.

The band’s explosive stage energy was matched only by the explosive crowd energy; a feedback loop of punk-fuelled adrenaline that made the intimate venue feel like

it could burst at any moment. Between tracks, frontman Jack Wilson spoke

passionately about the importance of grassroots venues, earning huge cheers from

the Leeds faithful who know exactly what those spaces mean to the UK live scene.

Midway through, the chaos took a breath as the band stripped things back for an

acoustic section — a moment of raw vulnerability that showcased the band’s

versatility. The crowd sang every word of Party at No.10 and Hope's a Never Ending

Funeral turning The Key Club into a communal chorus.

Of course, this is Kid Kapichi — politics runs deep in their DNA. Wilson’s speech on

Palestine, capped with the words “We’re all free”, drew roaring applause and a

sense of solidarity that hung heavy in the room.

From there, it was straight back into carnage. INVU sparked another massive

mosh, and by the time the band closed out the night, the floor was shaking. The final

songs hit like a riot — pure catharsis, pure connection.

With a new album dropping in January, this felt like a band on the cusp of

something even bigger — but still fiercely loyal to the small, sweaty rooms that built

them. This is a band who show true appreciation to the small crowds and the

independence that got them to where they are today.

On a cold Tuesday night in Leeds, Kid Kapichi proved that punk’s heartbeat is alive,

loud, and still proudly underground.