GANS in Brussels, BE: Photos & Gig Review
Updated: Oct 1
📸 Shot by Félicie Ginion for BRUITMag.
📅 Wednesday, 23 September 2026
📍Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, BE
The line between a normal concert and total musical chaos disappeared completely at the AB Club on the night of September 23, 2026. The post-punk band GANS, who come straight out of Birmingham, UK, started their European tour with a performance that was both heavily electric and full of energy. While the group started their career as a simple duo, they have recently expanded into a trio by adding Tommy Lawther as a permanent band member.
Alongside original members Euan Woodman on drums and Thomas Rhodes on bass, the trio successfully brought the loud, energetic sound of their first album, "GOOD FOR THE SOUL," which was released through the record label of musician Pete Doherty, into a packed and sweaty venue. The Belgian artist Max Forage opened the night, proving exactly how and why raw, simple post-punk music works so well in small rooms.
Forage's style was the perfect introduction for the main band. He mixed the slow, dark beats of trip-hop with the rough edges of punk music, creating a cool and mysterious atmosphere. The slow buildup of tension caught the audience's attention.
By the time the opening act finished the last song, the room felt alive and full of excitement. The singer interpreted songs such as “A Spotless Mind” and “That’s My Thing”, which caught the audience’s attention from start to finish. This brilliant start prepared the crowd for the high-energy performance GANS was about to deliver on stage.
When the main act finally walked out, the atmosphere inside the venue changed instantly. While Tommy Lawther used to join the duo as a touring member, he has now officially joined the band. His permanent addition on saxophone and flute brings an exciting, entirely new layer to the band’s raw musical style.
Rhodes controlled the room's sound with deep, heavy basslines that made the floor shake, while Woodman provided intense rhythms from behind the drum kit. Over this heavy musical background, Tommy’s instrument added wild, unexpected melodies that drove the crowd completely wild. Woodman delivered a powerful vocal performance, shouting his lyrics about the problems of modern consumer culture with great passion. The energy did not drop for even a single moment during the first part of their set list.
The clear highlights of the night came when the band played their best tracks. The band opened the night with “DO YOU GLOW? set the energy for the entire night. The performance of one of their most popular songs, “I THINK I LIKE YOU”, had the entire room jumping up and down to the fast-paced rhythm.
A major highlight of the performance took place when the drummer left his instruments behind and made his way directly into the crowd. Woodman sang and danced face-to-face with the audience, and even did some crowd-surfing during these unforgettable parts. The energy did not drop for even a single second during this part of the setlist.
The choice of the AB Club was a big reason why the concert was so successful. The venue is famous for its small size and the short distance between the stage and the crowd, which creates a really intimate atmosphere in the room. Because there was no big barrier separating the musicians from the fans, the entire room felt like part of the show.
Songs from their album “GOOD FOR THE SOUL” were revisited during the live performance, turning into longer and fast-paced tracks that blended elements of punk and dance music. Their intense stage presence proved that they are one of the most exciting new live acts around. The audience reacted perfectly, creating a huge mosh pit in the center of the room that lasted until the final notes of the night.
In conclusion, GANS gave us a show that was exciting and truly unforgettable. This show proved that the trio can easily take the crazy and wild energy of their studio work and turn it into a fantastic live experience.
As the band leaves Brussels to continue their quick tour through France and Switzerland over the next two days, they leave behind a strong memory. For the people who went to the show, it was a great reminder that live music does not need to be perfect to be great. Sometimes, loud and simple energy is exactly what a crowd wants to hear. GANS proved they are a five-star live act to watch really closely in the future.
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