FROM PUB ROOTS TO THE PIT LANE
CALLIE COOKE
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY by Evie Friar
On a unusually hot June day in London, Callie Cooke arrives for our interview fresh off a long-haul flight, still buzzing from the world premiere of her latest project, F1: The Movie. Despite the jet lag, her energy is light, airy and brimming with excitement. Perhaps best known for her performances in British comedies, Callie is now shifting gears, quite literally, as she takes on the high-octane world of Formula 1 in her newest role.
We sat down to talk about everything from her comedic instincts and her time in the Doctor Who universe, to how she carves out space for play amidst a packed schedule. And yes, she had stories to tell about filming on live race tracks, psyching herself up for a scene alongside Brad Pitt, and the thrill of stepping into one of the most adrenaline-fueled roles of her career.
There’s certainly no doubt that FIDLAR can hold their own in bigger venues and on festival stages. In fact, they are making the most of their time over in Europe, playing multiple festivals including Mad Cool festival in Madrid and the UK’s very own 2000trees later this week. However, on Monday night, they scaled things down for an intimate show at Gorilla in Manchester – a 500-capacity venue nestled beneath the railway arches by Oxford Road station – and what unfolded there was something special.
It’s cult bands like FIDLAR that thrive in spaces like these. Those familiar with FIDLAR shows can conjure up memories of messy mosh pits, crowd surfers, sweaty fans and spilt beer. This was no different. There was anticipation in the air long before the band was due to go on, with fans exploring all corners of the venue and checking out the merch stall to pick up shirts to immediately change into. The crowd felt community driven, with many of the fans chatting to others as they waited for the music to start. It was an atmosphere that felt too polite to descend into a night of mosh pits and stage dives but the night was young and the beer was flowing and I was sure it wouldn't take much to flip the switch.
Then, as the lights dimmed, the first act of the night took to the stage: Manchester’s own, Dead Stilettos. I was immediately impressed with the band’s distinct sense of stage presence. Despite being new to me, they felt seasoned and well rehearsed but with an air of ease that allowed them to fulfill their full punk potential and keep the crowd on their toes. Their frontman, in particular, radiated showmanship that kept their set feeling fresh and unexpected. Their signature move was brought out towards the end of their time onstage: a lit sparkler placed in the mouth of their guitarist – some DIY pyrotechnics to add an extra layer of excitement to the show. It was, all in all, an impressive display and a solid set by a local band who had undoubtedly earned their billing alongside headlining veteran punks, FIDLAR.
Which brings us to the main event. As the band took to the stage, arranging their instruments and adjusting their skateboard-backed foot pedals, the crowd were audibly excited. They launched straight into the first track off their latest album: ‘FIX ME’, a song with a suitable push-and-pull tempo to get the fans moving.
It didn’t take much for the moshing to start, but it was only about halfway through the set – after frontman Zac Carper announced, “You can crowd surf by the way… we’ll catch you!” – when the real fun began. The audience exploded into a frenzy of flailing limbs as a wave of crowd surfers seized their moment – riding to the front, hastily touching down on stage, then launching themselves straight back into the sea of bodies; all while FIDLAR expertly dodged their onstage guests. Carper commanded the chaos with his distinctive, gritty vocals, supported by bassist Brandon Schwartzel and drummer, Max Kuehn, who were dependable and tight as ever in holding down the rhythm section to offset the disorder. It’s also worth noting what a solid addition touring guitarist Ryan Gabrinetti was to FIDLAR’s live setup. His energy and flair blended effortlessly with the band’s performance style, creating moments with Carper where the two were jamming together, fully locked in, making for great photo-ops that I snapped up from the front row.
The setlist pulled fairly evenly from their debut, sophomore and latest albums, with their 2019 record, Almost Free, getting the least amount of playtime. Still, its lead single, “By Myself” – a ska-tinged anthem about solo drinking and self-reflection – drew a loud and enthusiastic response from the crowd. Carper also kept the set interactive, at one point gesturing to the audience for requests and reading notes scribbled on scraps of paper that landed at his feet. The energy was collaborative and inclusive, further cementing the good vibes laid down by the fans at the start of the show.
As a long-time FIDLAR fan, I was never not going to feel at home at a show like this, but it was this sense of community that captured what this type of live music is really about: getting together in the chaos, jumping around with strangers, and finding connection in the noise. FIDLAR live is a cathartic, sweat-drenched celebration of DIY punk spirit, and proof that they’re still one of the most exciting acts in garage rock today.
Click here to see the full gallery of photos from the show.
Follow FIDLAR on Instagram: @fidlar
Listen to Surviving the Dream on Spotify.
Follow Dead Stilettos on Instagram: @deadstilettos
Listen to the band on Spotify.
With thanks to Brace Yourself PR