We saw Goldie Lookin Chain at Annie's Burger Shack in Derby and loved it
There was standing room only
Goldie Lookin Chain (GLC) sure have a wonderfully eclectic venue choice.
The Welsh comedy hip hop group played sold-out gigs at Wembley Arena in the noughties.
Fast forward 14 years and they can now add Annie’s Burger Shack Derby to their list.
The music ensemble, loved for their satirical take on the music industry and working class culture, played to a packed audience at the popular restaurant last Thursday.
The seven-strong band strutted on to the stage amid whoops and cheers from a clearly excited crowd, eagerly listening to the set which included hits Guns Don’t Kill People Rappers Do and You Knows I Love You.
There was standing room only as revellers danced, enjoyed GLC’s trademark catchy tunes and sipped a range of chilled beverages including some brilliant IPAs to keep discomfort of double-digit weather at bay.
As with any excellent gig, dancing and having a good time can be hunger inducing.
Thoughtful restaurant owner Annie Spaziano created a special menu of GLC-themed burgers for the event.
North Carolina was a meat fest made with Annie’s signature BBQ pulled pork, while Bacon Blues featured tangy chunks of Clawson Stilton.
A personal highlight of the menu was The GLC Burger Special, which arrived in style, topped with chicken tikka pieces and a McVitie’s Gold Bar.
The surprise ingredient of Welsh cake will have its fans - I enjoyed it separately as a dessert and would be keen to see this on Annie’s dessert menu soon.
Hosting an acclaimed band is no mean feat.
If the venue is a restaurant, logistics and organisation can be that little bit more complex.
Yet this is something owner Annie has embraced with relish - as the GLC gig is the first of many.
Annie’s has hosted a number of music gigs in the past but GLC are the biggest act to have appeared at the restaurant.
Upcoming GLC gigs include Camp Bestival in Dorset in July.
They are also the supporting band for Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds at Caldicott Castle, Chepstow, in August.
Annie said: “They’re the biggest music act we’ve had by far.
“We’re really pleased to bring them to Derby, which is why we decided to create a one-off GLC burger paying homage to their Welsh roots and ‘old skool’ appeal specially for the occasion.”
It is an exciting time for Derby as work has started on a £45million entertainment complex, on nearby Colyear Street, which is the former site of the Pink Coconut nightclub.
Annie thinks the new building will make a “huge difference” to the area surrounding Friary Street and is keen to whet people’s musical appetites by putting on more music events in the meantime.
Among the highlights of Annie’s Burger Shack’s forthcoming events is Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party on July 14, Just The Tonic Comedy Club on July 29, and Wrestling Burger Brawl on July 30.
For more details about Annie’s Burger Shack and upcoming events, visit anniesburgershack.com/events