It’s a testament to Anton Newcombe and the Brian Jonestown Massacre that after 20 albums, 5 compilations, 5 live albums, 14 EPs, and 22 singles (and almost as many former members) that the collective are still able to play to an almost sold-out Brixton Academy, 35 years after their formation. Delivering a sprawling, hypnotic performance that reaffirmed their place as one of psych’s most captivating live acts, they took the Sunday night crowd on a transcendent journey through their vast catalogue.
Opening with ‘Maybe Make It Right’, they immediately immersed the audience in their signature swirling guitars and hypnotic rhythms. From there, they launched into ‘Vacuum Boots’ and ‘That Girl Suicide’, a one-two punch of early material that set a nostalgic tone for the evening. The sonic landscapes grew in stature with ‘Do Rainbows Have Ends’ and ‘#1 Lucky Kitty’ both showcasing the band’s ability to balance dreamy melodies with the American’s group’s undercurrent of restless energy.
Newcombe, ever the enigmatic frontman, was in fine form, his vocals exuding both intensity and effortless cool, with his well-oiled machine of a band playing with an effortless synergy, each member contributing to the intricate layers of sound that filled the reopened venue.
‘When Jokers Attack’ and ‘Anemone’ were undeniable highlights and came together halfway through as a solid one-two punch that really got the Sunday crowd going, the latter sending waves of euphoria. Joel Gion meanwhile, his presence as iconic as the songs themselves, was wielding his tambourine as the momentum built through to Nevertheless and Pish, a more recent track that has become one of the band’s best.
Joakim Åhlund, longtime collaborator and Swedish musician, then joined the band onstage for ‘Vad Hände Med Dem?’ before the closing stretch featured ‘Forgotten Graves’ and ‘A Word’, before ‘Super-Sonic’ ended the night on an exhilarating high. The final chords echoed through South London as the band left the stage to thunderous applause.
The Brian Jonestown’s ability to create an immersive live experience remains unparalleled and this Brixton gig was a masterclass in psychedelia, intensity, and raw musical craftsmanship.
LIVE REVIEWS
Ronnie Radke has claimed that Max Georgiev was dismissed from Falling In Reverse due to allegations of sexual misconduct, accusations that Georgiev has firmly rejected.
Georgiev exited the Las Vegas metalcore group in 2024. Last week, the band’s frontman Ronnie Radke shared an Instagram post stating that the guitarist was removed after allegedly admitting to a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
“For those that are wondering why I fired the guitarist,” Radke wrote, according to Lambgoat, “it’s because he admitted to sleeping with a minor ten years before he [was] in my band [when] he was 27 years old. Have fun with that.”
Georgiev, who joined Falling In Reverse in 2018 and now performs with metal outfit Vio-lence, responded shortly after, denying the allegations. “To the fans, I have never done anything illegal with a minor,” said Max Georgiev. “Fifteen years ago, when I was 23, I still lived in Quebec, Canada.”
“Since then, I have played for several bands who never mentioned inappropriate behavior on my part,” he continued. “I have always had great respect for the fans. I have strived to play my heart out for you.”
Radke’s Instagram account has since appeared to be removed, something he addressed during a livestream. “Maybe me talking about my old guitar player getting fired for finding out he was hooking up with minors, I think that AI might’ve caught that and was like, ‘You gotta go’,” he suggested, as reported by Loudwire".
“This man not only did that, [but] the parents of the minor ten years before he was in my band found out, they confronted him, he lied about his age so he could continue doing that with her. He wasn’t 23, he was older. He’s lying about that,” Radke went on to claim.
In a subsequent statement shared on Thursday January 8, Georgiev again rejected Radke’s accusations, calling them “delusional”. “I met someone who turned eighteen a few months later while I occasionally dated her,” he said. “This was fifteen years ago, when I was 23 in Quebec, Canada.”
“Her parents never confronted me because the girl only had a mother. I never lied to her or her daughter about anything.”
Georgiev later suggested that his departure from Falling In Reverse may instead have been linked to him “taking the initiative to learn nine songs of another band”, which he identified as Disturbed.
Elsewhere, Radke has reportedly filed a temporary restraining order against Brittany Furlan, citing alleged harassment connected to a catfish controversy from last year.
He has repeatedly alleged that Furlan, the estranged wife of Tommy Lee, was involved with someone impersonating him online. The filing asks that she be required to remain at least 100 yards away from him. Representatives for Furlan have said they are “aware” of the request and maintain that the allegations are “not accurate”.
Radke also saw his defamation lawsuit against Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop dismissed last year.
