Wellington’s bar Medusa was so hot that singer Jon Toogood probably sweated off a bit of weight as Shihad played the packed, unventilated, hole in the wall bar.

The band were promoting their greatest hits album with over 100 minutes worth of songs called Meanest Hits, so opted not to have an opening band.

The energy and enthusiasm of the band didn’t abate throughout the show, every song was greeted with screams, cheers and dancing from the capacity crowd of 200, especially for the first song, You again.

Songs from their breakthrough album The General Electric got the most reaction. My mind sedate had the pit surging.

“We have to rejig the stage because you’re pushing all our gear towards us, but that’s a good sign,” said Toogood.

He introduced Comfort me with “we are going to play a song from Pacifier so f…ya.” Changing their name to Pacifier because Shihad sounded like jihad may have been unpopular, but the song was sung along to.

Even the more experimental songs from Ignite kept the fans hooked and dancing.

Home again closed the set with everyone dancing and singing along.

Shihad will be home again in April for their Meanest Hits tour, including a date in Lower Hutt tickets available HERE.

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