🔥 LIVE REVIEW: The Kopy Katz at Papillon, Southend – Sunday 25 May 2025 🔥

thekopykatz
May 30
2 min read

By Napoleon Rocker

Sun, sweat, and serious swagger—The Kopy Katz brought the rockabilly heat to Papillon in Southend this past Sunday, turning a gorgeous spring afternoon into a full-blown retro riot.The venue was packed to the rafters, with fans spilling onto the sunny terrace and pavement. With cold drinks in hand and shades on, the crowd was buzzing even before the first note rang out. At 2pm sharp, the band hit the stage, launching into an explosive two-set performance that had people dancing, singing, and throwing shapes like it was 1956 all over again.

SET ONE – Rockabilly Ignition

The opening salvo, "Rumble in Brighton", hit like a greased lightning bolt, setting the tone for a no-holds-barred afternoon. From there, they powered through classics like "Rockabilly Boogie", "Rock This Town", and the always smooth "Stray Cat Strut"—each played with gritty authenticity and Kopy Katz flair. A huge crowd favourite, "Rock This Joint", got feet stomping hard, before the band switched gears into the outlaw cool of "Folsom Prison Blues".

Surprises kept coming—"Jeepster" and "Paint It Black" delivered rock ‘n’ roll with a twist, while original bangers like "Rock & Roll, Women and Beer" and "The Kopy Katz Suck" showed off their songwriting chops and cheeky charisma. Set one wrapped with a one-two punch of "Wild Child" and "Summertime Blues", a perfect finale to a scorching first half.

SET TWO – No Let-Up, Just Louder

The second set kicked off with the kinetic "Twenty Flight Rock", keeping the energy dialled to 11. From "Baby Blue Eyes" and "Be Bop A Lula" to the punk-tinged "Pet Sematary", the Katz showed they’re just as comfortable bending genres as they are bending guitar strings.

Crowd-pleasers like "Tainted Love", "Brand New Cadillac", and the glam-fuelled "We Love To Boogie" were met with roars, while originals like "Dirty Pink Cadillac" and "Devil Wanna Dance With Me" brought modern edge to the vintage sounds. A climactic medley of "White Wedding/Rebel Yell" shook the walls, followed by the closing trio: "Runaway Boys", "Fishnet Stockings", and "Hot Love". It was wild, it was loud, and it was glorious.

Final Thoughts

The Kopy Katz proved once again why they’re one of the UK’s premier live rockabilly acts. Their mix of classics, unexpected covers, and killer originals had the crowd completely hooked for two full hours.

It wasn’t just a gig—it was a time warp, a dance party, and a statement: rock & roll ain’t dead, it just slicked back its hair and picked up a double bass.Don’t miss them next time they roll into town. And bring your dancing shoes.