Hats Off Gentlemen / Spriggan Mist - Camden Club Sunday 1st February

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate / Spriggan Mist Live At The Camnden Club  

 Sunday the 1st of February. 2026.

 I went to London.

 to see an afternoon concert. By Hats off gentlemen.

 It's adequate. And Spriggan Mist.

The journey down was eventful as there were lots of cancellations and  delays, Due to signalling problems.

However, I arrived At the Camden Club. Just as. Hats off Gentlemen It’s Adequate were finishing their first song which was Hold the Peace.

 This was followed by

 The light of ancient mistakes the title track of their latest album

Hats off Gentlemen are a unique group in that there are only two members

 Mark Gatland, who plays bass, and Malcolm Galloway, who provides vocals and lead guitar. They do, however use a lot of computer-generated backing tracks which they use play to live with

This means they have less equipment to carry around.also, it frees them up for moving around the stage They are a very visual group. Especially Mark.who loves to jump around the stage. Their set continues with The Ultraviolet Catastrophe.

 And subsequently Walking To Aldebaran which is based on a novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The song is about a human who becomes absorbed by the computer in his spaceship. This was followed by a new song that will appear on their forthcoming album later this year called Parallel Lives

 On the basis of this showing today This forthcoming album  will definitely be another album that everyone will want to get for themselves This will be their 9th album.

This was followed by the shorter track I’m tired and everything hurts whichis a song about invisible disabilities.and the struggle that such illnesses represent. This was a rather hard-hitting song.with a very strong muscular musical tone to it.

 We were then treated to a further second new track called My Blistering  Mind.which is about mental health.

The lyrics of this song were very interesting and obviously written from experience, personal experience or at least knowledge of someone who suffers in that area.

 Their final song was Century Rain.

 Another song based on an Adrian Tchaikovsky novel.

 It might have been a short set, but it was certainly a powerful one. I've seen Hats Off.Gentlemen It's Adequate several times now and I never cease to be amazed by their musical abilities and Sheer Stage Presence,They were very well received.

There was a short break of about 10 minutes before The main act of the day. Spriggan Mist.

This is only the second time I've seen them!

 And once again, I was very impressed with how the band project themselves both in their onstage antics. Especially those of bassist Baz Cilla and singer Fay Brotherhood.

The band are a five piece that Consist alongside Baz and Faye of guitarist Neil Wighton and multi-instrumentalist Maxine Cilla and drummer Ali Souliden.

The set was focused on their latest album, The Glare. Their first. For Progrock Essentials.com

 Spriggan Mist. Start their Set in a highly unusual way by all appearing on stage.by all appearing on stage in black and green hooded cloaks with their backs to the audience.Before commencing with the gaze of the dragon.

 which was followed rapidly by The Cult.

 and, the rocking Spell maker.

 The next song Fairy Wood as Fay explained

 is about sleeping amongst bluebells and then being captured.by the Fairy Queen and imprisoned for a thousand years.

Pieces of Glass and Crystal Cave followed beforewhat is possibiy Spriggan Mist’s most popular track

 Isambard The Mecjanical Dragon which is about a mechanical dragon who lives in a Fairground

who goes rampant and burns everybody.

 A very Cheerful song!

 When Stars Collide was next.

 which was followed by Lanatores

 Terrestres however during this part of the show there were quite a few technical problems.which meant lots of scrabbling around.trying to fix leads and suchlike, this meant they had to cut several songs from their set. Like Kintbury Witch.and Spriggan dance.

Even so

The set was full of wonderful music, very well performed and with a really strong connection and tremendous interaction with the audience.

As always, the sound was very good indeed.

A fantastic afternoon's concert and much kudos

To Chris Parkins and London Prog Gigs for such an excellent show.

 Do try and catch Spriggan Mist if you can. You won't regret it.

Author John Wenlock Smith – Monday 2nd February 2026