Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Damian Robinson sees Hard Life continue their progression from ones to watch, to mixtape releases, to full blown album releases and tour cycles
Playing to a busy Boiler Shop, the tide seems to be moving for Hard Life as they continue their progression from ones to watch, to mixtape releases, to full blown album releases and tour cycles.
Now almost ten-years-old as a band, what Hard Life prove tonight, perhaps more than anything, is their ability to play live together and to gel musically. Powerful, but not at a turn it up to 11 level, Hard Life’s show is based around their ability to produce raw, interesting, live music and to make it connect to a willing audience. Led by Murray Matravers, all live members of the Hard Life outfit are clearly talented musically – allowing the band to veer from heavier moments to elements bordering on pop at times. Taking the lion’s share of tonight’s set list from 2025 album Onion, Matravers and the gang deliver a confident, knowing, set – their musical journey summarized by some of the more abstract and complex moments of Onion. That being said, it’s the six-ish) year old OJPL which stands out tonight, gaining both the largest ovation from the crowd as well as showcasing both the songwriting and live production of the band.
They’ve come a long way in ten years drawing larger crowds and producing interesting tracks – how they reach the next level will be an interesting challenge for the collective.
