Benefits // Hug & Pint // 29.04.25

Benefits return to The Rum Shack on the album tour for ‘Constant Noise’ which was released at the end of March on Bristol-based Invada Records

Prior to the tour being announced, Benefits canvassed opinions of fans to find out what would make it easier for them to attend gigs. Acting upon feedback, it was decided that ticket costs for the tour would be set as low as they could possibly go (£12) for tonight, and that set times would be published in advance with a curfew of 10pm to allow attendees to catch public transport home.

Onto the gig, the lights go down and the band emerge to the strains of the Bond theme Live and Let Die.

The band are stripped back from previous iterations, and now consists of Robbie in control of synths, violin and other gadgets, joined by frontman Kingsley who has his own slew of synths at his end of the stage.

The set opens with the atmospheric ‘Constant Noise’, as Kingsley grabs the attention of everyone in the room with his softly spoken delivery.

The set starts to pick up pace with ‘The Victory Lap’, where the drum machines decidedly kick in, pushing out beats that have the walls of the Rum Shack shaking.

‘Lies and Fears’ reminds of the band’s noise-rock roots and it’s the first time that we hear Kingsley roaring his poetic frustrations down the mic backed by heavy drums and loud guitars.

The gig progresses almost like a DJ set, with peaks and troughs. Calm moments are then followed up with all out techno beats with an industrial tinge, backed by 303 basslines.

Nearly all of the songs played tonight come from the new album. Only ‘Flag’ and ‘Warhorse’ were played from the debut album, but these too have been reimagined for the new lineup.

They finish on a cover of the classic ‘Dream Baby Dream’ by Suicide. This starts off as being fairly true to the original, but before too long the music morphs into ‘Born Slippy’ by Underworld with Kingsley screaming Alan Vega’s lyrics like a man possessed, the stage being lit up with retina-burning strobe lights.

Benefits transition into a two-piece may have been borne out of obstacles being put in their way, but they’ve adapted and created something that is truly special.