We enter our first live music experience in the refurbished Corn Exchange, with its amazing beams, from hot summer sun into the dark world of goth as Heartworms’ set is underway. Ever since we saw her Jetstream beach set Jojo has bewitched us. Despite the strange contrast with the outside world she continues to stun and impress. The set is full of new unnamed songs and one that appears to be about murder is incredible before ‘Constant Dedication’ explodes with its angry refrain. This woman will headline some big stages as her career develops. Team SOURCE certainly can’t wait to get our ears wrapped around her debut album!
After a lengthy stage change in the hot hot room darkness falls and organic sounds swell as the band members begin to appear on the stage, all with their backs turned to the crowd between the trees that are making a very effective set design. The sounds build and distort, getting more electronic like a Tardis landing before morphing into the opening bars of a Beastie Boy’s tune. It’s a cracking entrance.
They turn around in unison to crack out the first melody of ‘Transmitter’, in a perfect example of showmanship and stagecraft. The sound is loud and cacophonous which detracts from the song a little but the trade-off is the sheer beauty of the surroundings.
‘Two Fingers’ quickly follows and its twinkle carries above the echo to lift the set. It’s a great and perfectly formed pop song, with cornet and violins from Phil and Abi to give it that extra reach.
We move to a more central spot. Don’t tell anyone but that transforms the sound considerably.
‘Canvey Island’, the first of many songs drawn from ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ delivers a jaunty windswept tale of the home of Dr. Feelgood. The band is then jovially introduced before a fierce rendition of ‘Doppelgänger’.
‘True Advice’ with its more Pixiesish loud/quiet and screaming guitar dynamics suits the room well.
It is, however, with ‘No Lucifer’ and its battle cry of “Easy! Easy! Easy!” that the set really lifts off. It cements its status as one of our favourite songs by the band. The crowd quite clearly agrees. There is a genuine euphoria in the room.
‘Lights Out For Darker Skies’ hits the unquestionable tonal sweet spot of the nineties indie disco somewhere between the Wedding Present and Pulp.
‘Remember Me’ into ‘Carion’ provides some needed grit. The drummer is going berserk in his hedge as the song climaxes, before it morphs into “We Close Our Eyes”. “We’re all in it, and we’re all in it.” Yes we most certainly are. The audience choir is encouraged, as the lights come up, conducted by Jan. The band seem overwhelmed by the response and milk the moment for all it’s worth before a wall of sounds draws it to halt.
The encore begins and it almost can’t cope with matching the epic close of the main set. It’s more gentle and ethereal, touching on a Slowdivey shoegazey edge to their soundscape. Thankfully ‘Waving Flags’ gets everyone back for a touch of the epic. ‘The Great Skua’ gets a cheer and then from a slow start we get drawn into the song thanks to the recurring trumpet sound that builds and melds into a rapturous reception.
The local heroes did well, and it is lovely to see they all head for the Waggon & Horses looking happy and emotional to celebrate with friends after what is effectively a hometown show.
Brighton Corn Exchange, Thursday 23rd May 2024
Words by Nick McAllister
Photos by Jamie MacMillan
