On Wednesday September 24, I had the pleasure of attending the first gig of the Punchbag University Tour at the Exeter Cavern. It was everything a Cavern gig should be: dark, noisy, a little sticky, and very fun. The PHD, who won the Battle of the Bands last year, started us off with a tight set including a gritty cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).” HALFCUT were up next, delivering a characteristically energetic performance with their new lineup and debuting their newest single, “Lucky You.”
Headliners Die Twice, no strangers to Cavern, played old favourites like “Paris” and “Evelyn,” as well as their dynamic new material. Villanelle were last, and, in true rockstar fashion, missed almost every other set. Villanelle is a 3-piece band composed of Gene Gallagher (vocals, guitar), Ben Taylor (guitar), and Jack Schiavo (bass). They’re London-based and gained traction by supporting Liam Gallagher of Oasis on his arena tour in 2024.
I had the privilege of meeting Villanelle at one in the morning in the smoking area of the Old Firehouse, due to their rigid schedule. Gene joked that Villanelle themselves had the privilege of meeting in a ski resort, and then a brothel. Where they actually met is unclear as Gene’s slurring punchline kept changing. The band are heavily influenced by the Beatles, the Stooges, the Beastie Boys, Alice in Chains, and the Buzzcocks. There is a slight echo of Alice in Chains in the unique vocal delivery, and a hint of the Beatles in the band’s clear enjoyment of a “rock-n-roll lifestyle.”
Villanelle’s first single, “Hinge,” came out two weeks before the gig, and Gene said they’re very happy to have something for people to listen to without “trying to memorise lyrics off Youtube recordings.” “Hinge” is Gene’s favourite Villanelle song, and he passionately told me, “it’s the reason I wake up in the morning.” Jack’s commentary on the song was unfortunately limited to repeatedly referencing the dating-app Hinge, and alluding to his own exploits. When I asked what the song meant, I received the succinct answer “everything,” so the actual meaning eludes me.
“Hinge” is the reason I wake up in the morning.
The band all enjoyed the Cavern gig, and said “the people of Exeter are like no other.” Gene cited the excitement of the crowd, and that everyone at the gig was lovely. According to manager Clem, The Punchbag University Tour is to bring back rock music to student nights out, and Villanelle are passionate about doing that. After explaining the ethos behind the tour, Clem did me the great courtesy of calling me “darling,” as he had almost immediately forgotten my name. When concluding the brief interview, Gene implored me not to leave without giving Ben (six years my senior) a kiss.
You can catch the Punchbag University Tour at venues all across the UK this autumn, and see Villanelle on their Magical Mallard Migration Tour in December. Villanelle are a group of unique young men who gave their all during the gig. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have spoken with them in such a casual setting, where they felt comfortable to be themselves.
