Live Review: Wednesday 13 - Islington Assembly Hall, London
4th November 2025
Support: The SoapGirls, The Nocturnl Affair
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
The Nocturnal Affair start tonight’s proceedings, I first caught these guys last year supporting Alien Ant Farm, so I am definitely keen to see if there is much change to their performance.
Their performance scaled up beautifully, taking the increased capacity in their stride, they perform just as well as they do in a more intimate scenario. The absolutely amazing cover of “What Is Love”, as with last time I saw them perform this, got the crowd singing along loud. Please can more bands do curveball covers like this. If you get a chance to see these guys you really need to. I fully expect to see them headlining a decent sized venue tour soon, And when that happens, I will happily pass over some cash for that!
The middle slot tonight is occupied by The SoapGirls. The sisters born in France, raised in South Africa and initially a dance pop act, a sound from which they currently sit miles from.
Since breaking away from their younger success, opting to stick true to their beliefs rather than following the success that they were forced into, they have become a touring machine, often hitting over a hundred shows a year. They are now completely independent, and from what I can see they are much happier this way.
Sitting more so in the Punk genre they are free to express themselves any way they like. Whilst not something that I would normally listen to I can very much appreciate the performance, it is high energy and impactful from the word go, Noemie (guitar and vocals) barely stops moving throughout the whole set, and Camille (bass and vocals) is consistently bending herself like a pretzel. Both of which whilst continue playing their retrospective instruments without skipping a beat.
The energy just doesn’t stop either, well apart from during the odd joke about the British (which the crowd still appreciates). The vocals are hitting, the subjects important, and the way in which everything is put across is really well done. You can tell that they have passion for what they do now and what they believe in. If punk/alternative rock/revolt rock is your thing.,The SoapGirls will not disappoint you.
Our headline act is an artist that needs no instruction, Wednesday 13. I have been a massive fan for as long as I can remember, well since I was 16, a friend of mine at the time was obsessed with Frankenstein Drag Queens and it instantly rubbed off on me.
The horror punk star emerges on the stage with an expected cape, and make up that is Wednesday 13 in a nutshell. Last time I caught them it was to a 200 strong crowd in Norwich’s smallest venue, which that evening felt far too small. The Assembly Hall’s 950 cap, still does not feel big enough for this show, the comparison though, much like tonight’s opener, is brilliant. The performance, the presence, the all round feeling is scaled up perfectly.
Opening the set with “Look What The Bats Dragged In” is perfect, this is the Wednesday 13 that I was first introduced to and it was an instant throw back. His voice still ringing true to how it was recorded back in 2005. With ten albums under his belt, there is such a massive selection of songs that can be pulled into the set. So many of which are just astounding to hear live again, “Rotting Away”, “The Ghost Of Vincent Price” and “Haunt Me” to name but a few.
We even got Wednesday dipping into his back catalogue from other acts, “No Where” and “Summertime Suicide” from the Murderdolls era, then to go back even older, “I Love To say Fuck” and “197666” from the Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13 era. It is obvious that there is an almost cult following with Wednesday 13, if you like one era, you will almost definitely be pulled into the other versions of him.
As was the case with The SoapGirls, the energy is consistent with the whole band, constant movement that rubs off on to the crowd, including starting a conga pit… yes that was something. But the best bit? The crowd singing back at full volume. It is incredibly infectious and brings a smile to your face throughout.
My only complaint of the set? Not long enough, I could have happily sat there for another hour listening to more of his back catalogue. He has so many great songs that were missed out, however, this tour is supporting his 2025 album “Mid Death Crisis” so it only makes sense that this is one of the main albums for the night. Whilst it is new Wednesday 13, it still has that core sound of his that everyone loves.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
