THE RUMJACKS

They may well look like a bunch of street thugs who’d make even Arthur Shelby cross the street, but THE RUMJACKS’ heart is definitely in the right place: with their audience. They’ve gathered that crowd of fans through an endless tour across Australia (where they’re from), through the United States and on to Europe, to make people believe that every concert hall is ultimately just an Irish pub that’s got out of hand. Even though the lads are from Sydney, they’re still Irish. So more Stiff Little Fingers and The Pogues than, say, ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ or ‘Karma Kameleon’. The needles of their compass are therefore firmly set on combative songs, dances and choruses that feel like uncooked spuds smacked in your face. And don’t you dare laugh at their pennywhistle or you’ll have the whole lot after you. Did we mention they’re Irish? The pints of beer are always kept close to their right and left hands, and at any given moment at least one band member will be sporting a tattooed shamrock. Between their first LP “Gangs of New Holland” (2010) and their latest (“Dead Anthems”, 2025) there are four more albums, and a whole host of singles. Each and every one a personal invitation to pull up your trousers or skirt a bit and swing until the red in your hair drowns in sweat. The Rumjacks are our headliners at Club Studio Brussel on our legendary Celtic Monday, 3 August.