28/11/2016 | Louisianna

Better late than never. The London four-piece arrive on stage almost a half hour later than planned and the crowd resort to chanting as they push through a sea of people to get on stage. Yup, that would be the Louisiana they are playing at – the venue which doesn’t have a separate artist entrance – it is great in terms of intimacy and sound, but I couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t quite right for Gengahr.

Despite the crowded venue and the muggy heat, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and the boys are extremely welcoming: “It’s good to be back, Bristol” – frontman Felix Buche shouts and indeed it has been over a year since they’ve graced their presence to us Bristolians. A busy summer for the band after touring with rockers Wolf Alice but it was still evident that they still had bags of energy as they opened with a new track ‘Mallory’.

‘Mallory’ paved way for the newer songs as the setlist was predominantly tracks that haven’t been released yet. Buche is aware that this may not be to everyone’s taste, revealing that only a few released tracks will be played and the focus is on finding out from the fans what they think of the songs, a test run as you will. We were not disappointed – there was no shortage of their well known electronic riffs but it did not go unnoticed that the focus was more on the instruments than the vocals for the newer songs.

Buche doesn’t beat around the bush as he informs they won’t be doing an encore due to the inability to move freely through the crowd, much to the crowd’s dismay. Finishing with fan favourites ‘She’s A Witch’ and ‘Powder’- it was a dreamy end to a fantastic set.

It’s an understatement to say that the crowd were more than impressed with the set, the cocktail of both newer and older tracks took us on a trance journey whilst not sending us to sleep. Energetic brilliance from Gengahr once again, their live presence is infectious and captivating and i have no doubt they can translate it into the studio.

When asked the release date of the new album, Felix Buche responded with “How long is a piece of string?” A strong speculation that we can expect the album in the early months of 2017 is looking very likely.

21/11/2016 | Louisianna

Despite the lack of new material in over a year, it hasn’t stopped Gengahr from setting off on their second headline UK tour. I caught up with frontman Felix Bushe before their stop at the Louisiana on Wednesday.

Speaking to Felix regarding the tour, he said whilst not officially releasing any new tracks, this was exactly the point of this tour in which they hope to showcase some of their new material. “It’s all part of our grand plan – we want to get feedback from our fans and experiment with what works and what doesn’t.” He comments. I asked them what reception they have received from crowds that they have already played their music to. “The reception has been really good, we’ve played some new songs over the summer at Reading and Leeds, a lot of all day festivals so each crowd have been different but it’s been good – we’re excited to get out on our tour now”. He also notes that the bands dream, like most artists, would be to headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.

The London based four-piece have just toured with Grammy nominated rock band Wolf Alice which consisted of sell-out shows all over Europe. I asked Felix what it was like touring with the guys and he only had good things to say – informing it was perfect timing for them to tour in between albums and they all are good mates.

“WE WANTED TO PUSH OURSELVES WITH THE NEW STUFF, PUSHING OUR INSTRUMENTAL SIDE AND EXPLORING OUR LIVE SOUND”

Bristol is one of the only sold-out shows in this month’s tour and I noticed a pattern in terms of small, intimate spaces being the band’s choice of venues; I asked whether it was in relation to smaller venue’s shutting down as well as bigger venues like London’s Fabric. Felix admitted it was more to do with budget but that he was supportive of intimate venues, especially for the fans.

With the tour ending in Manchester, I questioned him on what we could expect from the new album. “We wanted to push ourselves with the new stuff, pushing our instrumental side and exploring our live sound and how we can translate the energy on stage into the studio” Felix explains. “This is why we’re doing this tour almost as a trial and error, a healthy full circle and then onto the album” he continues.

Gengahr are full of energy, delivering electrifying riffs and catchy vocals – I am personally really excited to hear what they’re going to bring to the Louisiana on Wednesday. The weather is poor and predictable but the evening sure won’t be!

5th November | Thekla

The Wytches arrive in Bristol on bonfire night to play their sell-out show at Thekla, but did anyone tell them Halloween was last weekend?

The Brighton based trio are no strangers to Bristol, having sold-out the Louisiana last year – so it is no surprise to see the venue packed out before lead singer Kirsten Bell and the rest of the band manoeuvred on stage. Opening with ‘C-Side’ from their latest album All Your Happy Life the crowd instantly go wild hurling themselves into a mosh pit from Bell’s growling vocals.

Despite their dark and melodic nature, tonight’s show brings in quite the audience of all ages, many sporting The Wytches’ merchandise – the pun out of it, the band really have got quite the loyal coven.

Focusing heavily on their second album; tracks like ‘Ghost House’ and ‘Can’t Face It’ are instant winners with the audience and the group rev up their psychedelic grunge sound – clearly exploring more intense, heavier riffage.  A truly top heavy setlist, the spotlight on the newest tracks implies the band show no signs of stripping back.

During slower tracks like ‘Robe for Juda’ fans move themselves into a big circle waiting eerily for the heavier riffs to kick in before throwing themselves into a frenzy – bouncing back from wall-to-wall. Admittedly I place myself near the bar, the perfect spot to watch drunken youths surf the crowd but far enough not to get my pint knocked over. It was refreshing seeing a crowd go so mental for the band and not getting stopped by security – screaming fans even run on stage, and at one point the lead singer’s microphone got thrown into the crowd – Thekla sure was the boat that rocked.

The Wytches had sparks flying throughout the boat – no i’m not talking about the fireworks outside but their electric energy which left every single person leaving the venue feeling drained and in a definite need for a shower. They sure left Bristol with a bang!

23/10/2016 | Trinity

Sensual and intense. That’s how I described their album Warm on a Cold Night prior to their gig in Bristol, and their live performance was no different. HONNE took us on a journey – from the start to the finish there were twists and turns, a rollercoaster of emotions throughout, captivating from the moment they stepped on stage.

The duet, also known as James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, described Bristol as feeling like coming home, a nod to James who is from Swindon. Accompanied tonight by Dauyne Sanford on drums, Amadu Koroma on bass guitar and Naomi Scarlett on vocals, whom they have collaborated with on a number of tracks from their debut album. Playing at Bristol’s Trinity Centre, a venue I have mixed emotions for due to the school disco resemblance – lacking charm and atmosphere. HONNE made up for both of these.

Opening with few of their better known songs, ‘Warm on a Cold Night’ and ‘Coastal Love’, their sound really blurs electronic and soul, Clutterbuck’s voice is serene and crisp which captures your ears whilst Hatcher on keyboard and backing vocals captures your body as you find yourself moving to the upbeat riffs. A musical rollercoaster as the gig went on; a mixture of dancing and arm waving – either one the crowd were more than happy to participate. Taking the time in-between tracks to engage with crowd, they paint themselves as a genuine humble band.

As the evening draws to a close they hand over the stage to Naomi Scarlett who owns the stage with ‘Someone That Loves You’, a truly pure and soulful voice which is confirmed by her choir background. Ending the night with ‘All The Value’, it was the perfect song to close a captivating set.

HONNE are a force to be reckoned with, they have the lyrics, the sound and the charm – it won’t be long until they’ll be playing bigger venue having already added an extra date to their New York show. A truly majestic gig – HONNE kept us warm on a cold, cold night.