Live Review: The Moonlight Radio @ Bermondsey Social Club – April 17th 2026
The Moonlight Radio came to Bermondsay Social Club for one night only, and after nearly two years without a live gig, the sometimes-trio did not disappoint. Back to their best, frontman Ralph (like Fiennes) Chamberlen and Tom Capaldi gave a tight one hour-ish set that had the venue moving from the first key.
Capaldi is the producer of the tracks as well as bassist/keyboardist.
Vocalist Alice SK can be seen in the crowd, front row, far left.The set began with Misspent Prime, a perfect mix of each artist’s style. Capaldi, of (now disbanded) Palafico Honey fame, brought his classic sound that garnered so much popularity with Palafico. The funky, neo-soul, disco beat pulsed through the crowd as Capaldi worked between his laptop and the keys. The Alex Turneresque vocals of Chamberlen join in a union that does not seem like it should work, but does so anyway. The myriad of influences, which range from Larry Graham and the Jimmy Castor Bunch, to elements of Crazy P, to the Libertines and Arctic Monkeys, create a very danceable, listenable soul-rock fusion, somewhere between Nick Cave’s Wild God album and classic New Order.
Ralph Chamberlen is “Jarvis Cocker with a better haircut”, according to someone in the crowd.
Ralph Chamberlen, left, and Tom Capaldi, right.The second track, Satan’s Dinner, embraces the funkier elements of the band’s sound. No Fear has Capaldi donning his bass, and strumming away while still playing the keys. Think Prince on his first album. The musical maestro looked as though he would be as confident with any instrument put in front of him. Not wanting to be outdone, Take it on Yourself slows down and gives Chamberlen an opportunity to show off his singing, and writing talents, to great effect.
Chamberlen and the audience giving some much deserved praise to Capaldi.For their penultimate track, the sometimes band member Alice SK came up to the stage and performed a duet with Chamberlen to Human League’s Don’t You Want Me, a stark contrast from the moody, dive bar in New Orleans feel of the previous track. The result was electric, and one wonders why SK isn’t a permanent fixture in the group, as although the duo work well together as a pair, think Royal Blood, the introduction of a softer vocalist gives a good contrast to Chamberlen’s rasping ballads. She returned for the encore, a cover of Arctic Monkeys’ classic Mardy Bum.
Bermondsey Social Club is small, unassuming and hard to find. Down an alley fifteen minutes from Surrey Quays, I walked down the piss-smelling tunnel and wondered if I was about to be murdered. However, turning the corner you are greeted not by the Millwall firm, but by a spectacular view of the Shard, out across the river. The venue is small but perfectly sized for an EP launch or smallish gig such as this one. Most importantly, the venue has probably the best smoking area of any venueIhave reviewed in. I don’t even smoke and I felt drawn to the place, the tasteful plant positionings and abundant benches. Credit to The Moonlight Radio that this oasis in the desert emptied as soon as the band came on.
The venue was at capacity, which was surprising. For a fringe band just starting out, with little to no online profile and an EP still in the works, one would expect the singer’s auntie to be there, and maybe the bar manager. Instead, the Bermondsey Social Club was packed with friends and fans.
The Moonlight Radio went up at 21:30 and finished their encore by 23:00. The DJ Roger Berghaus followed them onto the stage and moved the crowd until the early hours. The Moonlight Radio have no set gig in the near future, but are working away to release their debut EP, The Moonlight Radio EP, scheduled to come out later this year.
