Just Mustard Live At Electric Brixton Review: Precision On Autopilot
Just Mustard live in London, reviewed by TOPNOTE. Image credit: Ella Faye Howcroft, TOPNOTE
Just Mustard performed with clarity and conviction, but seemed tired and detached.
A Pollyanna is someone who’s characteristically optimistic in every situation, even excessively or irrationally so. It’s also the opening track of Just Mustard’s third studio album – a bold statement for a band who’ve made their name in grunge rooted post-punk rock that’s characteristically dark and murky.
It doesn’t seem the opening statement for their London show, however, instead opting for ‘Endless Deathless’ from the same record – itself a surrealist shoegaze reverie that brings guitarist (and backing vocalist) David Noonan to life. Beyond that, the band stand in place and play, and it would have to be a Pollyanna who declared the show was brimming with energy. For all the band’s talent – and there is plenty of it – last night’s performance at Electric Brixton was missing punch.
Read our review of Just Mustard live in London below.
Just Mustard are an Irish five-piece, currently touring 2025 album ‘WE WERE JUST THERE’. Image Credit: Kate Lawlor
Just Mustard were featured on TOPNOTE’s ‘ones to watch’ emerging artist list at the start of the year, with their ‘magnetic swirling style’ and ‘distorted industrial sounds’ capable of whirling the listener off to a semi-psychedelic state. The Irish five-piece walk on to minimal lighting and lots of haze, intent on facilitating the blurred, dreamlike aesthetic their music conjures. Lined up next to Noonan are lead vocalist Katie Ball, guitarist Mete Kalyoncuoglu and bassist Rob Clarke. Steering the ship behind them is drummer Shane Maguire, almost entirely obscured from the circling mist around the stage.
The spirit of ‘Pollyanna’ only emerges in the thirteenth song of the night, a rousing track that fuses distorted guitars with punching drums for Ball’s ethereal vocals to glide over and inbetween. This and album-title track ‘We Were Just Here’ were top performances of the night, effectively building tension and choruses to crescendo in a live setting.
And yet there was a sense the band were waiting to get to the end of their songs, perhaps even the set. The tracks were not rushed, rather, there was very little deviation or spontaneity on stage. It wasn’t until after the soft and dreamy ‘Dandelions’, the ninth track performed, that Just Mustard briefly acknowledged their London audience. Apart from a quick mention for supports Cruel Sister and THEATRE before the final song, there is hardly (if any) further interaction with the crowd.
“At points, it seemed credible that they’ve received endorsement from such influential names in rock. Last night, unfortunately, was not a dazzling example of why.”
Ball appears shy, she’s certainly very quiet, and her performance style is almost akin to someone who doesn’t want to be perceived front and centre. The lack of solo spotlights makes it hard to connect with individual performers, though they seem happy viewed as a collective. The impression is similar to a female-fronted Alt J; moving from song to song like a slick, well-oiled machine.
The audience don’t seem to mind, a sea of bobbing heads and gentle movements with the occasional swaying hand. But it certainly isn’t a full body experience with the crowd encouraged to lose themselves completely in Just Mustard’s music.
Maybe that’s because, from the balcony at least, it’s only Doonan who can be seen immersed in his textured riffs. Ball’s main movements are to turn around and cough, or bend down for a quick swig from a mug or water bottle. If, as appeared to be the case, the singer was sick or run down, her ability to produce vocals clear as crystals must be highly praised. Hers is undoubtedly a voice you can’t turn away from. Porcelain and pure, it offers a perfect contrast for the cascading guitars, and echoes around the dark venue like a siren call. In the odd moments where her voice is isolated, it acts as the band’s most gripping instrument, at other times it’s almost completely drowned out; carefully spared and savoured for its most impactful moments.
Still, there was a noticeable lack of stage presence or enthusiasm, which made it harder to sink fully into the escapist feel of the band’s music. Just Mustard’s Europe & UK ‘We Were Just Here’ tour began on 8th April, with just 5 days off since. That means they’ve played 17 shows in 22 days across two continents, so it seems inevitable that any band on such a rigorous schedule would hit a wall at some point along the journey.
“Hers is undoubtedly a voice you can’t turn away from. Porcelain and pure, it offers a perfect contrast for the cascading guitars, and echoes around the dark venue like a siren call. In the odd moments where her voice is isolated, it acts as the band’s most gripping instrument.”
Last night was an evening of chilled, atmospheric music with the occasional whoop. It doesn’t feel entirely right to critique a band who don’t seem to be performing at their best. With one day’s rest preceeding a homecoming show in Ireland before a US & Canada tour starts next week, hopefully Just Mustard can begin their next stretch of dates with fresh energy.
The band have previously supported Fontaines D.C. and Wolf Alice, and in the summer they open for The Cure in Belfast. At points, it seemed credible that they’ve received endorsement from such influential names in rock. Last night, unfortunately, was not a dazzling example of why.
Just Mustard performing at Electric Brixton 29/04/26. Image credit: TOPNOTE