Some gigs require a considerable amount of effort to attend. This wasn’t because of the journey, the weather or any ticketing complications. Instead, it was because I had decided to have a wisdom tooth removed on the very same day.

Under normal circumstances, spending an evening standing at a concert shortly after a dental extraction would not rank highly on a medical professional’s list of recommended activities. Fortunately, normal circumstances have never had much influence over my gig-going decisions.

The opportunity came courtesy of my friend Noel, who kindly arranged for Emma and me to be added to the guest list for The Blockheads at Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms. That made the decision even easier. Tooth or no tooth, there was no way I was turning down a free evening of live music from one of Britain’s most enduring and entertaining bands.

For many people, The Blockheads will forever be associated with the late Ian Dury, whose wit, attitude and songwriting helped create some of the most distinctive records of the late seventies and early eighties. While Dury himself is sadly no longer with us, the music continues to thrive through the musicians who helped create it. Seeing The Blockheads live is less about nostalgia and more about celebrating a catalogue of songs that remain as sharp, funny and relevant as ever.

Before the main event, we were treated to a set from Sons of the Descent. Support acts can sometimes feel like an afterthought, particularly when audiences are focused on a legendary headline band, but they more than held their own. Their performance was energetic, engaging and provided exactly the sort of warm-up a crowd needs before the headliners arrive. If you’ve never encountered them before, they’re well worth checking out.

As for me, I wasn’t exactly operating at full capacity. The combination of a missing wisdom tooth and whatever medication happened to be circulating through my system meant I arrived feeling decidedly less than wonderful. For a while I suspected I might spend the evening concentrating more on my jaw than the music.

Thankfully, The Blockheads had other ideas.

From the moment they took to the stage, the discomfort began to fade into the background. That’s one of the great powers of live music. For an hour or two it can completely redirect your attention away from whatever else is going on in your life. The performance was lively, tight and full of character, reminding everyone why these songs have survived for so many years.

By the end of the evening, I realised I had spent far less time thinking about dentistry than I ever expected. That alone was probably worth the price of admission, had Noel not kindly arranged for us to get in for free.

Looking back, this was one of those occasions where the circumstances surrounding the gig became part of the story. Most people attend concerts with all their teeth intact. I arrived one short and feeling sorry for myself. Fortunately, a great support act, a generous friend and an excellent performance from The Blockheads combined to make me forget about it for a while.

And when a band can make you forget you’ve just had a wisdom tooth removed, they’re clearly doing something right.

The videos and photographs below capture an enjoyable evening at The Voodoo Rooms, along with a taste of what Sons of the Descent brought to the night.

Sons of the Descent

The Blockheads

The Photos

Cheers!