We arrive as Broadbay are mid-set and the place is already nearly full. The audience are primarily late teen and early twenties in age and it's encouraging to see that many of them are here for the bands and not just a free party. Broadbay set the mood for the evening, this is about having fun and they barrel through a set filled with turn of the century Alt. Rock and Indie hits, with one particular highlight being a cover of Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag that somehow manages to swerve the lack of a female singer for the finale without becoming a joke.
Penthouse are next a after one single own composition we are treated to covers by the likes of Feeder and even Queen, with a brave and surprisingly well executed stab at Bohemian Rhapsody that predictably sends the place wild for the big operatic/rock climax. The band finished and I make a mental note to check out their own material soon.
Up next are H_angm_n a local 2 piece guitar and drum outfit fronted by Chris from All Better. Chris has also worked at Sticky's for some time as the main booker of bands and this is an emotional night for him in particular. They place a set of mostly own material and keep the crowd entertained and finish off with the entire room singing along to Fall Out Boy's Sugar We're going Down and primed for tonight's mystery guests.
But first off is the traditional drunken New Years countdown and shambolic Auld Lang Syne. It is now 2019.
'Special Guests' appear to be a one-off event and in all honesty I'm not exactly sure who I'm watching but Nick Burdett off All Better is on drums and on guitar is his brother Oliver of the now possibly defunct Creeper. Once again it's a set of covers on offer, and the band are clearly having fun. We get treated to tracks from Avril Lavigne, No Doubt, Hole, Cardigans and finally Paramore's Misery Business rounds it all off.
Gender Roles keep the party vibe going and treat us to our second Feeder cover of the evening - not something I ever thought I'd say in my lifetime. A rousing version MCR's I'm Not Okay (I Promise) connects strongly with a now rammed venue audience showing that the long gone band are still much loved.
And so we come to All Better, Brighton's answer to Green Day who are something of a resident act at Sticky's - playing almost monthly in part no doubt to guitarist Chris's now previous job there. It'll be interesting to see where the find their home from now on. They kick off with 2 off their own songs, Like TV and the super catchy Hard & Cold before becoming Katy Perry for the remainder of the night and treating us a a set of her greatest hits that includes Roar, California, Hot & Cold, I Kissed A Girl, Friday Night, Firework, California Gurls. There's time for Sticky's owner and manager Sally to say a tearful farewell and thank you from the club for all the support over the years before the band finish off with Katy's Teenage Dream as the last ever song at the venue.
The Party continues with DJs of course but Sticky's is no longer a live venue. It may have left a whole in the local live scene that will not be easily filled, if at all, but they have left a great legacy and a send off that will live long in the memory of anyone who was there.
Rest In Noise, Sticky Mike's. We will miss you
