The Magic Gang and Abattoir Blues bring chaos to DIY’s 50th issue party

50 issues in, it’s time for a party. Crammed into new London venue The Crowndale, The Magic Gang are hopelessly batting balloons away from their instruments, like being thrown into cricket nets with no respite. Hundreds of frenzied fans rush the stage. Mic stands and speakers are falling over. Security guards don’t know where to look. To be honest, this is much better than getting a cake, staying at home and watching The One Show.

In a twist of irony, perfect chaos is incited when The Magic Gang play ‘No Fun’, their pre-encore closer about being sick and tired of parties. This party’s a lot of fun, mind you. DIY even gets chucked out for DJ’ing a Coldplay track, a couple of hours later. You can’t please everyone.

Before tonight’s headliners, fellow ridiculously-exciting Brighton bunch Abattoir Blues continue their ascent. Frontman Harry Waugh is always the focal point, snatching at his shirt, eyes raised to the ceiling in a commanding storm. But together, these five bring a storm of their own, a headrush of post-punk that merits their recent breakthrough moment with new single ‘Tell Me’. It’s still early days, but in Waugh they have an incredible frontman, and those head-turning songs are racking up.

Across the road, Mac Miller’s playing to a sold-out Koko. So it’s nice of The Magic Gang to give the Pennsylvania rapper a timely shout-out. That’s right before closing the night with go-to, brilliantly miserable party anthem ‘Shallow’. Jack Kaye ditches his guitar and barks out the “I’m so shallow!” mantra. Balloons are bursting, arms are flailing. Talk about a party. Mac Miller should have had an invite, come to think of it.