Lock-In at Dingwalls
A sea of bodies stormed the cavernous Dingwalls in Camden on Saturday night, shouting tongue-in-cheek chants of “Lock-In are massive everywhere they go!” Most wore white bucket hats emblazoned with LOCK-IN in bold red letters. The pit looked like it was filled with light bulbs as the crowd bopped and moshed, gearing up for the band to take the stage. Their energy was matched as the Hertfordshire quintet delivered an infectious mix of indie rock and dance to a rapturous crowd – their charm and camaraderie were evident from the very start.
Walking out to Underworld’s trance anthem Born Slippy (Nuxx), Lock-In – singer Benjy Leak, guitarists Joe Leak and Angus Moore, bassist Sam Collins and drummer Ollie Stacey – immediately took command with their debut single Teenager, a track bursting with riffs that recall The Libertines in their prime. Introducing an unreleased song, Amsterdam, the band delivered dance-infused beats with a rock flair, the drums and bass merging into an irresistible groove. The gig shifted from a fun night out to a full-blown party.
Their latest single, 11:11, sprang to life with an intriguing mix of surfer twang and garage rock riffs – a song you can dance to and throw in a little two-step, if you please. Do You Like Good Music? feels straight out of Two Door Cinema Club’s songbook, in the best way – packed with fiddly guitars and a driving drum beat. A surprise cover of Calvin Harris’s Acceptable in the 80s blended in seamlessly and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Despite repeated warnings from security, people shamelessly climbed on each other’s shoulders, waving their hats and launching their pints into the air.
A man appeared on stage wearing a papier mâché Earth helmet to introduce Against the World, Lock-In’s lead single for 2025. The cheerful tune saw frontman Benjy with his arm around the Earth-man, who, unable to see, followed his lead as they twirled and hopped across the stage. An unexpected rendition of Duran Duran’s Girls on Film had the entire crowd singing along, before Red Light Remedy – an ode to pubs and pints – sparked the band’s most animated moment of the night.
With an ecstatic encore, Yours Sincerely closed the night in a sprawl of amplified guitars and jumping bodies. For his final act, Benjy climbed over to the side of the stage, stood on a barricade, and launched himself into the crowd. It was a fitting end for Lock-In – a band that continues to deliver catchy tunes and a good time, solidifying themselves as one to watch.
Paulina Subia
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events visit Lock-In’s website here.
Watch the video for Easy here:
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