Declan Welsh & The Decadent West @ King Tut's, 14 Jul

At a Declan Welsh gig, you’re well advised to leave your bigotry at the door. Welsh has built a solid local reputation on his social activism and political nous – read his compellingly-argued piece on why Radiohead should boycott their upcoming gig in Israel, for example. When he announces the song Nazi Boys to the King Tut’s stage with the declaration “this was written as a threat to Neo-Nazis – I’m sure there are none in the building, but if there are, make yourself known!” you sense he’s only half-joking.

Welsh & The Decadent West soundtrack their political fury with tightly-wound punk rock that borrows more than a few tricks from The Clash’s songbook (like the iconic group’s 1980 album Sandinista! you could see Welsh penning a similar album dedicated to the Palestinian cause). As the headliners of tonight’s Summer Nights showcase, the four-piece are brimming with confidence, and their set is a well-paced foray through trebly guitar riffs, rapid drum fills and discourse that’s erudite, but never pontifical. Just watch the audience belting out the chorus to No Pasaran if you don’t believe that punk is still an antidote to political apathy.

What underscores Welsh’s songwriting is a message of solidarity and community, and this is no better illustrated when he’s joined on stage for the second half of his set by “so many talented friends”. Members of The Van T’s, The Vegan Leather and The Cut fill the stage and delight the crowd for the remainder of the show, before closing with the moving track Times, which Welsh reveals was inspired by The Lapelles late frontman Gary Watson. Welsh’s songs insist on calling out injustice, while at the same time encouraging us to band together to celebrate what’s good in the world. With a vivacious set such as this, good times are compulsory, and ignorance is no longer an option.