The Fleece, February 23rd
Rolo Tomassi, a band I had been a fan of for quite a while, but until Wednesday hadn’t managed to catch live.
What better time to catch them than shortly after the release of new album “Where Myth Becomes Memory”, which looking at my phone history has already enjoyed very heavy play since its debut on the 4th of February.
I Headed down to a jam packed Fleece with a fair sense of excitement and intrigue into how well RT’s unique sound would transfer to a live show. And there was a palpable sense of anticipation amongst the 450 souls stood shoulder to shoulder in the inky black room.
Excellent support was provided in the shape of Heriot and Pupil Slicer. So many times there is an annoying disconnect and poor fit between the support acts and main act, but the booking here was great. Both bands complimenting the atmosphere and sound of the evening with blistering sets that got the crowd pumped for the main act.
The time for Rolo Tomassi to take the stage had arrived. And the crowd whooped and whistled as the main lights dimmed and darkness enveloped the venue. Only punctuated by the appearance of the five silhouettes of Eva Korman, James Spence, Chris Cayford, Nathan Fairweather and Al Pott.
What followed was an instant explosion of static noise that was replicated by an explosion of movement from the crowd, pressure pushing hard on my back as the crowd swirled and jostled behind me. Thumping and thunderous banging from fists on the front of the stage from the front row as they tried to keep time with the beats emanating from above them.
We are hit instantly with two tracks from the new album in “Cloaked” and “Labyrinthine”, the latter one of my favourites from the new material. And both so very, very much encapsulating the Rolo Tomassi sound. The crowds senses are beautifully assaulted both auditorily and also visually as Eva drifts across the stage switching from the grace of a ballerina to the contorted shapes of someone in the later stages of demonic possession. Its truly incredible and mesmerising to watch.
And there in is the secret of Rolo Tomassi’s appeal. They hit you so hard, so fast that you finding yourself gasping for air, desperately seeking rest bite from the intensity of their sound, but the band’s rollercoaster of emotion and feeling builds that rest bite in with the drops to almost whisper soft vocals and sounds in so many of their tracks. It’s an incredible contrast and works so well, I can’t think off the top of my head of a band that employs this so well in their music.
We momentarily pause mid set, like rays of sun light bursting through storm clouds as Eva delivers a pin drop performance of the angelic “Closer”, an absolute stand out moment for all of those in attendance. Before we are thrust straight back into the thick of it with the seven minute anthem that is “The Hollow Hour” from 2018’s “Time Will Die & Love Will Bury it”.
And that is very much the theme for the entire set, we are thrown in equal measure between the new album and the preceding album from 2018. Indeed we see six tracks from the latest album and seven from the 2018 offering, but unusually nothing from the four studio albums which have come before? Which is great for the likes of new fans, but not sure how those who have followed the band from the early days will have felt.
Those in attendance certainly didn’t seem bothered as the band catapult us through 11 tracks with a blend of passion & visible enjoyment. Wrapping up with “Aftermath” before departing the stage to a thunderous applause and an obvious anticipation of an encore.
The band duly oblige, reappearing too play two further tracks, the first of which is my absolute go to track when introducing people to Rolo Tomassi “Drip”. Definity my favourite track on the new album, it was the moment I had personally been waiting for and it did not disappoint. Transferring seamlessly in quality from record to live performance. Somewhat surprised it was an encore track as personally I think it’s very suited to be a live opening track. We finish in quite literally a “Flood of light” as the strobes and spotlights take a back seat for the first time and the crowd and band can see each other in equal measure. Both giving each other applause as the crowd sing the band off stage.
One sure sign of a great gig is the Merch stand, which was packed straight after the show. Those in attendance who were not that familiar with the band pre 9pm, will now proudly be adorning Rolo Tomassi shirts going forward.
Words & Images @thebristolnomad
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