The Blockheads at the Boileroom: More Ian Dury than Ian Dury

Published on: 25 May, 2026
Updated on: 25 May, 2026

Frontman Mike Bennett – he left the stage and squeezed through the crowd as part of his performance

Dragon Review by Charles Whiting

Ozzy Osbourne once famously quipped of a tribute band: “They sound more Black Sabbath than us”. And so it is with The Blockheads’ current frontman Mike Bennett – he does a better impersonation of Ian Dury than Ian Dury.

However this is no copy band, but a continuation of the outfit that hit the London pub rock scene in the 1970s and delivered the seminal album, New Boots and Panties, a year later.

Bennett delivered a crazed, spot-on performance in this raucous, sweaty, sold-out 50th anniversary show. He was helped no doubt by his theatre performances and his previous time with The Fall and the Manchester scene. He joined The Blockheads after Derek the Draw died in 2022.

The Boileroom has a 275-capacity and was packed. It was boiling hot due to the heatwave, reminiscent of early Blockhead gigs in sweaty London pubs. It was the first concert I’ve ever been to where the staff carried large jugs of water and (plastic) glasses around the crowd to keep people hydrated.

The band’s current touring line-up features long-standing members Chaz Jankel, Mick Gallagher and John Turnbull.

Jankel co-wrote the band’s best-known songs with Dury. He sings, plays keyboards and performed a great guitar solo on Inbetweenies.

The line-up was made up of skilled, experienced musicians.

Gallagher (keyboards, piano) played with The Clash for three years and with The Animals for decades. The Clash’s Topper Headon has previously played with The Blockheads.

Founder member Turnbull is on guitar and vocals. He has also played with World Party and Bob Geldof’s second band, The Bobcats.

John Roberts has played drums since 2010, and also plays with Sparko. Dave Lewis was on sax and plays lots of jazz in London. He nailed the solo on Hit Me.

Nathan King has taken over bass guitar from veteran Norman Watt-Roy. He also plays lead guitar with Level 42.

The setlist featured much loved numbers including What a Waste, Sex and Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll, Billericay Dickie, Clevor Trever, Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3, and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

The Blockheads will play Madstock on Brighton beach with Madness on July 23. Then they do two festivals in Worcestershire.