Fat Dog - Live Review

Fat Dog at the O2 Academy Oxford: A Howling Good Time

There’s something about Fat Dog that feels like chaos bottled up and shaken until it explodes. On February 16, 2025, the band brought their unhinged energy to the O2 Academy Oxford as part of The WOOF Tour, and let me tell you - this wasn’t just a gig. It was a full-blown, barking mad experience.

From the moment the lights dimmed, the crowd was electric. The energy building before the band arrived with Luciano Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma being piped into the room. You could feel it in the air - like static before a storm. People were already shouting “Woof woof!” before the band even hit the stage, and when they finally did, it was like unleashing a pack of wild dogs. Fat Dog didn’t waste a second; they tore straight into Vigilante, a track that feels like a punch to the gut in the best way possible.

Fat Dog’s setlist is a journey, and not the kind where you sit back and enjoy the scenery. It’s more like being strapped to a rocket and launched into the unknown. They played everything from the snarling aggression of King of the Slugs to the oddly tender (well, tender for Fat Dog) Peace Song.

Each track felt like its own little world - some chaotic, some introspective, but all undeniably Fat Dog. Bad Dog was a standout, with its snarling vocals and pounding rhythm that had the crowd barking along like they were part of the band. Fat Dog isn’t your typical band. They don’t just play music - they create chaos. Their sound is hard to pin down, blending punk, electronic, and a touch of something that feels almost theatrical. It’s raw, it’s messy, and it’s absolutely captivating.

But it’s not just the music that sets them apart. It’s the way they interact with the crowd, the way they throw themselves into every performance like it might be their last. There’s a sense of unpredictability to their shows that keeps you on edge - in the best way possible.

By the time Fat Dog closed with Running, the crowd was drenched in sweat, hoarse from shouting, and grinning like maniacs. It wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience - a wild, barking, chaotic experience that left everyone wanting more.

If Fat Dog are coming to a city near you, do yourself a favor: go. Even if you’re not sure what to expect, even if you’ve never heard of Fat Dog before - just go. You might leave with ringing ears and sore legs, but you’ll also leave with a story. And isn’t that what live music is all about?

So, here’s to Fat Dog: the band that doesn’t just play music - they unleash it. Woof woof!