Our newest team member Neve Dawson (@nevedawsonphotos) takes at look back at her top three gigs from the past 12 months
Top Gigs of 2022 – The year of post-punk/2k
FEET supported by Damefrisør- Mr Wolfs, March 2022
Having first listened to Coventry’s FEET during the misery that was 2020 lockdown, I was lucky enough to see my lockdown soundtrack performed live from the stage of Mr Wolf’s. Whilst only costing a mere £5 per ticket, the memories I have of this kinetic and sprightly gig are priceless.
Supported by local band Damefrisør, the venue’s atmosphere was immediately projected back in time. The support’s Joy Division-like synthy, new-wave sounds immersing the crowd into discontented gloom echoing ‘Love Will Tear us Apart’, this only to be expanded on later by FEET’s ‘Dog Walking’ or ‘Wiggy Pop’. Damefrisør’s Kazhi on the vocals in ‘2-HEH-V’ shook George Haverson’s hand, through their encapsulation of adolecent impatience and feelings of claustrophobia.
Callum Parker and Harry Southerton carry the band’s post punky guitar riffs, the rhythm and tempo of ‘Arena’ and ‘Library’ adding to the band’s at times satirical and taking-the-piss humour – yes, it really is possible to write a song about eating too much hummus. The band even extend their lyrical genius to describing in intense detail getting locked out of your own house after a trip down to the local – new release ‘Can’t Get in’ literal music to my fan girl ears.
@feetband @damefrisor @harrysoutherton @olivershasha @elgeorgeo_97
Porridge Radio – Rough Trade, May 2022
In May 2022, I was lucky enough to attend Porridge Radio’s live gig and signing following the release of their third album ‘Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky’. Immediately welcomed by the band’s light-hearted humour and memorable crowd engagement, a lacerating and potent mix of indie-pop and artistic rock followed. Vocalist Dana Margolin swayed at every melancholy turn within the album, the more acoustic ‘Rotten’ striking a powerful depiction of life’s ever changing and transitory nature through its metaphorical lyrics describing the simple change of an apple’s taste and eventual decay.
However, a trip was taken back in time by the band with their the performance of ‘Born Confused’ and ’Sweet’, two classic Porridge Radio hits that lit the crowd like a flame from a match, choruses of ‘thank you for making me happy’ filling the room with an optimistic ambiance that lasted even when Rough Trade was emptied.
Having gone to the gig alone, for the first time since moving to Bristol 18 months ago, meeting the band at the night’s end and getting this photo on top of my signed vinyl, truly catalysed my love for the band and their music’s breathtaking capability.
@porridgeradi0 @danamargolin @sueplord @maddieryall
Hypothetics – Rough Trade, August 2022
Now onto a band I hold dear to my heart.
Local band Hypothetics, consisting of vocalist (and hardcore groover) George, drummer Jim, guitarist Dan and bassist Joe, first caught my eye at Bristol Harbour Festival in July of this year. Seconds into the band’s set, a smile was etched across my face as I stood taking pictures of the dynamic, charismatic group.
Bring on August 2022 and the band’s release party for their ‘Newborn’ and ‘Don’t Speak’ flexi-disks. The group took to the stage of Rough Trade supported by Bible Club and Quade. Personal highlights were the faces of Ella and Sandra pointing smittenly at their rock-star, topless boyfriends as they danced to the band’s blend of punk, hip-hop and everything inbetween. Singing about anything and everything from misogyny to individualism, vocalist George Bailey without a doubt has the choreography that matches both the music’s tempo and invigorates the already moshing crowd.
Dan Pacini’s guitar and Jim Wilcox’s drums echo their extensive vinyl collection, however something this band will not do is conform to stereotypes – as an upcoming band having performed at both Boardmasters and Forwards Festival this year, the last thing Hypothetics will do is stand still in 2023.
@hypotheticsband
@nevedawsonphotos @_nevedawson
My current role for TBGG is as a Reviewer, Interviewer and Photographer, which I do in my spare time when I'm not studying English Literature and History at the University of Bristol.
I'm available for reviews, previews, interviews and shoots through the company. Alongside TBGG I also write for The So Young, Groupie and Rodeo Magazines, with an aspiration to enter magazine and newspaper journalism focusing on culture and the arts.
What was your first Gig?
The first gig I remember seeing (when I wasn’t dragged around by my metal-head father) was The Killers live in my hometown of Birmingham in 2016. Brandon Flowers’s iridescent cowboy suit still blinds me to this day and echoes glamorous indie rock n’ roll for years to come.
What's your dream Gig?
I would have to say my dream gig would be seeing Hendrix’s star-spangled banner live at Woodstock ’69. Call me cliché but I was born in the wrong generation.
