Not even technical difficulties could stop post-punk duo Big Special from putting on a remarkably poignant and intimate set in Somerville.
Part of the joy of live music is seeing the humanity within the production. From sound issues to fumbled lyrics, every artist has dealt with their fair share of live music hiccups. For British duo Big Special, these hurdles came in the form of backing track-related technical difficulties at their show at The Rockwell in Somerville on December 8. Despite these difficulties, the duo were able to provide an incredibly intimate and unique experience for their devoted fans.
The night started off smoothly with local band Viruette kicking things off. Opening with their 2024 single “Faceblind,” the Boston-based band’s set consisted of tracks from their debut album, Your Lacuna, as well as new, unreleased songs. Their suave, American indie rock instrumentation blended naturally with lead singer Harry Bee’s British vocals. One standout song from their set was “PUNKTURED,” a recent single released with fellow local artist Layzi. The music video for the song, as well as the band as a whole, were nominated by this year’s Boston Music Awards for Video of the Year and Alt/Indie Artist of the Year, respectively.
As the minutes passed beyond Big Special’s scheduled stage time, the crowd stood by, watching as the venue’s technicians tended to the apparently broken laptop containing the duo’s backing tracks. Vocalist Joe Hicklin and drummer Callum Moloney took turns addressing the crowd, assuring them that the problem was being fixed. But as the night grew later, they turned to attempting acoustic covers in order to pass the time. “You don’t get much punker than this, ladies and gentlemen,” Moloney admitted.
Hailing from the Black Country, an area in the UK’s West Midlands, their music is an exploration of their relationship with the industrial region. In songs like “BLACK COUNTRY GOTHIC” and “MONGREL,” which started off their acapella set, Hicklin’s voice blistered with emotion and power. Stripped back from the frills of the backing tracks, the lyrics that spoke of working class struggles and mental health were even more poignant. Using limited instrumentation of an acoustic guitar and Moloney’s drumset, the two artists continued with acoustic versions of recent single “DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)” – marking the first time in the band’s history that Hicklin has played a guitar live – and POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’ “ILL.” They even treated the crowd to a special version of “Hometown Blues,” the unreleased track that provided the inspiration for their 2024 debut album. These renditions were raw and powerful, commanding the attention of the under-200 person crowd.
By this point of the show, the technicians at The Rockwell were able to fix the laptop, allowing the full vision of Big Special’s songs to come to life. With only half an hour until the venue’s curfew, Big Special promised to get through as many songs as they could, but also vowed that one day they’d return to put on the full set that they had promised. The duo blasted through full-bodied versions from their debut album like “BLACK COUNTRY GOTHIC,” “THIS HERE AIN’T WATER,” “BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE,” and “DESPERATE BREAKFAST.” They also performed recent single “PLAINTIVE NATIVE” and riff-heavy track “PROFESSIONALS.” from 2025’s NATIONAL AVERAGE. Finally hearing these songs invigorated the audience, who headbanged and sang along to the long-awaited tunes. Hicklin and Moloney matched the crowd’s energy, and they entered the mass of concertgoers to dance along to upbeat track “TREES.” It may have been an incomplete setlist, yet the songs felt more up close and personal.
Closing out the night with fan favorites “SHITHOUSE” and “DIG!,” the two artists thanked the crowd for their patience and understanding. While it might not have been the show they hoped to deliver, Big Special rose to the occasion, providing an experience that the crowd is unlikely to forget. Their artistry and bond were on display in the show’s moments of quiet and stillness, but their passion and zest for performing shone when the technical difficulties were resolved. It was truly a one of a kind gig, and it’s clear that no matter the hurdles they face, Big Special are performers that aim to keep audiences entertained and engaged. Surely when the duo return to Boston, they’ll fulfill their promise of another exciting, full-bodied concert.
