Concert Review: Slay Duggee at Blondies Brewery in London on November 2, 2025
It had been almost a year since I had last attended the “Christmas Slaycation” gig by Slay Duggee, an event that was so enjoyable that I couldn’t wait to see them perform again during their next appearance in London. My first visit to Blondies Brewery in Leyton was quite pleasant, with a charming corner cafe/bar decorated in a rock’n’roll theme with an array of gig posters adorning the walls. As I made my way through the venue, I noticed an outdoor seating area on the left, followed by the main performance space and brewery. While I couldn’t confirm, I had a feeling that it was perhaps the first time the gig area had been transformed to accommodate a bouncy castle and face painting station. Despite the incongruous setting, with Halloween decorations still on display and a group of canine musicians about to deliver a metal performance for some kids, the atmosphere felt just right.
The doors opened at 11 AM for the matinee show, and soon the venue was buzzing with people. Children were gleefully bouncing on the castle and sporting their metal-themed face paint while a DJ spun rock and metal classics. It was a delightful sight to behold. The excitement reached its peak around 2 PM as Slay Duggee took the stage, entering with large waving flags and exuding infectious energy.
For the uninitiated, Slay Duggee is an ensemble of dogs and a bear that introduces young children to the world of heavy metal through their music. Their songs may be short, but they pack a punch, featuring characters like “Spongebob,” “Bluey,” and “Sarah And Duck” alongside original tracks such as “Stick” and “I Am A Shape.” The latter song playfully explores the concept of a circle pit and goes on to humorously ponder what a triangular or square pit might look like.
As is typical for a Slay Duggee show, the stage was adorned with inflatables, including a pair of sizeable killer whales that ended up entangled in the chandeliers (whether they were part of the Halloween decor or a permanent feature remained unclear). The performance was a non-stop display of high-octane energy and enthusiasm from beginning to end. The band closed their set with two of their most popular tunes, “Stick” and “Baby Shark,” the latter of which featured the appearance of jovial dancing sharks on stage.
After a brief explanation of the concept of an encore, Slay Duggee bid their farewells with their song “Goodbye Goodbye.” It was heartwarming to witness parents proudly watching their young ones enthusiastically embrace metal music, raising their fists and bravely joining their first circle pit. The children, in return, were ecstatic, eager to have their pictures taken with the band after the performance. The audience sported some impressive costumes, including one child dressed as a ghost, which looked absolutely fantastic. Although I am not a parent myself, I can imagine that events like these provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the world of metal music in a safe and enjoyable environment, surrounded by other parents doing the same. Slay Duggee truly exemplifies the best of metal with their wholesome performances.