King Hannah are a four-piece indie band from Liverpool whose first two albums have been creating quite a stir. The title track from their latest, ‘Big Swimmer’, features Sharon Van Etten and is one of our tracks of the year, a rambling, emotional build that is an anthem to positivity and exactly what the world needs now. So it was no surprise that this band’s show at the Green Door Store was sold out, and their next one will we’re sure be at a bigger venue than this.
King Hannah’s lead singer Hannah Merrick has something of a Patti Smith about her, seemingly combining a sharp intelligence and independence with intellect and depth that resonates through the band’s songs. Stepping on stage in the big red dress which featured in the ‘Big Swimmer’ video, was a big memorable statement. Although they hail from Merseyside, there’s definitely a New York new wave feel too. Merrick’s lyrics are also oddly esoteric yet affecting, although her vocals, distinctive and yet down-to-earth, were not done justice by the sound tonight.
The other star of the show was Merrick’s fellow band lead, guitarist Craig Whittle. From the start of the show he weaved magic from his pedal box of tricks, recreating the distinctive and mesmerising sound of the band’s albums. It was a real pleasure to watch Whittle close up in an intimate setting, producing a stunning display of shoe-gazey (Sonic Youth style) repeated walls of sound. Bassist and keyboardist Dylan Gorman played a steady hand throughout and word up to drummer Jake Lipiec who was outstanding throughout, his partnership with Whittle close-knit and immaculate in execution.
The band’s setlist comprised the whole of the new album, with the addition of their debut single ‘Creme Brulee’. The band don’t go in for much stage repartee, the introduction to ‘John Prine’ (“We like John Prine, we hope you do”) hardly adding much by way of personal insight, but the expressed affection for the town they were in (all touring bands say that, right?) went down well enough with the audience.
The band saved the new album’s title song for their encore, with Merrick starting the song alone on stage before being joined mid-song by the rest of the band, to build to a stunning crescendo. All in all, a great performance.
The King Hannah set list at the Green Door Store was:
1. El Paso
2. The Mattress
3. Milk Boy (I Love You)
4. Hell No
5. This Wasn’t Intentional
6. John Prine on the Radio
7. Suddenly, Your Hand
8. New York, Let’s Do Nothing
9. Davey Says
10. Lily Pad
11. Creme Brulee
12. Big Swimmer (encore)
King Hannah played the Green Door Store in Brighton on 2nd September 2024
Words and photos by Jon Southcoasting
