REPUBLICA + TRAMPOLENE – DUST, BRIGHTON 6.11.26
Republica – 30 Years of Ready To Go!
Some songs become part of the soundtrack to an entire generation. For Republica, ‘Ready To Go’ is undoubtedly one of them. Thirty years after its release, that unmistakable combination of pounding beats, driving guitars and Saffron’s distinctive vocals remain as instantly recognisable as ever.
Emerging in the mid-1990s, when Britpop was dominating the British music scene, Republica offered something a little different. Their infectious blend of alternative rock, electronica and punk attitude helped them carve out their own identity, with ‘Ready To Go’ and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ becoming enduring anthems of the decade. The last time I saw them perform was around the peak of their fame as part of the then Southern FMs ‘Party in The Park’ in 1997 at Preston Park where it barely stopped raining heavily all day, their appearance making the crowd forget how soaked-through we all were.
Fast-forward to 2026, and Saffron is back on the road with a new line-up for their ‘30 Years of Ready To Go!’ tour, celebrating three decades since the release of their self-titled debut album. Friday night’s stop brought them to Brighton’s DUST, an intimate setting for a band whose biggest songs were built to fill considerably larger spaces.
And if anyone was wondering whether Republica still had what it takes to deliver a memorable live performance, they needn’t have worried. Saffron burst onto the stage with an enthusiastically sweary greeting to Brighton, immediately establishing the tone for an evening that would be as entertaining between the songs as it was during them.
Launching into ‘Bloke’, followed by ‘From Rush Hour With Love’ and ‘Out Of The Darkness’, the band wasted little time demonstrating that their distinctive fusion of rock and electronic music has lost none of its impact.
The current touring lineup is an exceptionally tight unit. Alongside Saffron are Maxine Cahill on guitar, Joe Norris on bass and keyboards, and former Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt. Together they deliver a powerful, accomplished sound that does full justice to Republica’s back catalogue.
Cahill deserves particular praise. An energetic and charismatic presence, her guitar playing added real bite to the performance, while Hewitt’s commanding drumming and Norris’s contributions provided the driving foundation. This is a seriously good live band.
At the centre of it all, of course, was Saffron Sprackling. Three decades may have passed since Republica’s commercial breakthrough, but her vocals remain powerful, cutting through the instrumentation with the same unmistakable attitude that made her such a compelling frontwoman in the first place.
Equally entertaining was her rapport with the audience. Clearly enjoying herself and a beer or two on stage, Saffron was funny, engaging and wonderfully unfiltered throughout, frequently punctuating proceedings to share memories and anecdotes. There was an appealing unpredictability about her between-song banter, but far from detracting from the performance, it simply added to the evening’s charm.
Brighton evidently holds a special place in her heart. Amongst other things, she reminisced about her adolescent years and nights at the legendary Subterfuge club. These recollections gave the evening a genuinely personal feel, with Saffron clearly delighted to be performing in familiar territory and referencing friends in attendance.
There was plenty of self-deprecating humour, too. On several occasions she joked about needing her glasses, telling the audience she couldn’t see them but knew they were there.
Beyond the laughs, there were more reflective moments. Saffron spoke passionately about the role she and her female-fronted contemporaries played in challenging the male-dominated music industry of the 1990s. She recalled helping to break down doors alongside artists such as Sleeper’s Louise Wener, during a period when women were increasingly making their voices heard in British alternative music. It was a timely reminder that Republica’s significance extended beyond a couple of memorable chart hits.
There was a fabulous connection to British punk history in the audience, with UK Subs frontman and punk royalty Charlie Harper in attendance. Saffron, appropriately enough, was sporting a UK Subs T-shirt, a fitting nod to one of punk’s most enduring figures.
Musically, the evening delivered plenty of highlights. ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ provided an early reminder of just how infectious Republica’s biggest singles remain, while ‘Bitch, Picture Me’ and ‘Christiana Obey’ demonstrated the depth and variety of their material.
The inclusion of the more recent ‘New York’ was also welcome, showing that Republica’s musical story hasn’t been confined to the 1990s.
Throughout the set, the songs sounded superb. The band’s musicianship was exceptional, and Saffron’s vocals retained their power and character. The band gave a freshness and vitality to the performances that made even the most familiar material sound exciting.
Naturally, the biggest moment was saved for the finale. ‘Ready To Go’ remains an absolute powerhouse of a song, its instantly recognisable opening and infectious chorus providing a fitting conclusion to the performance.
If there was one minor disappointment, it was the length of the set. Three songs appearing on the printed setlist visible on the stage floor were left unplayed, leaving us with nine numbers rather than the originally planned twelve. The reason wasn’t clear, but given the quality of what we had witnessed, it had certainly left me wanting more.
The evening ended on a particularly warm note, with the band joining the audience for a group selfie, a fitting conclusion to a show that had felt celebratory and surprisingly personal.
Thirty years after their breakthrough, Republica remains a formidable live proposition. Saffron’s personality, humour and vocal power are as compelling as ever, while the musicians surrounding her have brought fresh energy to a collection of songs that continue to sound remarkably vibrant.
Republica:
Saffron Sprackling – vocals
Maxine Cahill – guitar
Joe Norris – bass, keyboards
Steve Hewitt – drums
Republica setlist:
‘Bloke’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
‘From Rush Hour With Love’ (from 1998 ‘Speed Ballads’ album)
‘Out Of The Darkness’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
‘Bitch’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
‘Picture Me’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
‘Christiana Obey’ (from 2013 ‘Christiana Obey’ EP)
‘New York’ (a 2023 single)
‘Ready To Go’ (from 1996 ‘Republica’ album)
Support came from Swansea four-piece alt-rockers Trampolene, a band who, despite being around for well over a decade, had somehow escaped my attention until now.
Arriving late, I caught only the second half of their set, but it was more than enough to make me wish I’d seen the whole performance.
Charismatic frontman Jack Jones led an impressive display of energetic indie rock, with sharp lyrics, bags of personality and some excellent between-song banter. At one point, he amusingly invited everyone to Wales to sample traditional laverbread and the like.
Musically, they were equally impressive. Songs like ‘It’s Not Rock & Roll’, captured their combination of attitude, humour and infectious guitar music. There was a real chemistry between the musicians, and their confident, spirited performance made them an excellent choice of support.
I may have arrived late to Trampolene in both senses, but they’re firmly on my radar now, and I’d certainly go and see them again.
Trampolene:
Jack Jones – vocals, guitar
Wayne Thomas – bass, vocals
Kyle “Mr” Williams – drums, piano, violin, vocals
Lee Thomas – guitar
