On October 18th, Stoned Jesus from Kyiv celebrated their 15th anniversary with a performance at The Garage in London. Joined by Mondo Drag and The Abbey, the night promised a fusion of Stoner, Doom, and Progressive Metal. This mix of genres was reflected in the crowd, which included people of all groups and ages.
Unfortunately due to public transport issues, I arrived just in time to catch the last two songs of The Abbey. It was clear they had already engaged the crowd with their doom metal, which highlights to Natalie Koskinen’s vocals. Their performance was a strong start to the evening, and I wished I had arrived earlier to see more.
Next up was Mondo Drag, who took the audience on their psychedelic and space rock. The use of keyboards and synths added depth to their sound, creating a great atmosphere. The band’s performance was tight, and their rhythms had the crowd deeply absorbed in the music.
Stoned Jesus faced some initial sound issues when they took the stage, but the crowd was supportive, waiting patiently. Once the problems were fixed, they launched into “Bright Like the Morning,” and the energy kind of doubled.
Their setlist covered songs both new and old, each one heavier than the last. “Thessalia” resonated with its strong riffs, and before playing “Thoughts and Prayers,” frontman Igor Sydorenko spoke about the situation in Ukraine. He mentioned a tip jar at the merchandise stand, with proceeds going to those in need back home. This moment added even more emotion to the concert and the song, connecting the music to real-world events.
The highlight of the night was “I’m the Mountain.” The crowd really got excited as soon as the song began, singing along with enthusiasm. Experiencing this life, surrounded by fans who knew every word, was truly special.
Towards the end of the show, the band loosened up, sharing beers on stage. Igor even jumped into the crowd for some crowd surfing, moving around the venue carried by fans. It was a fun and great moment that just highlighted even further how Stoned Jesus connected with the crowd.
They played around ten songs, and while I wished for more, the set felt complete. The only downside was that the concert had to end — to a great 15th year celebration of a great band.
GALLERY: Stoned Jesus, Mondo Drag & The Abbey at The Garage in London (October 18, 2024)
