Live Review: CLT DRP, PEACH & The Outlines | Exchange, Bristol | 05/05/2023
Rising Brighton electronic punk trio CLT DRP stop by spiritual second home Bristol in a slew of headline dates across the country. With a new album on the horizon, they’re supported by local up and comers PEACH and Bristol two-piece The Outlines.
The Outlines
Bristol based two-piece and self described “pound for pound most autistic band ever”, The Outlines are opening tonights show with what can only be described as a hero’s welcome. Comprised of guitarist and singer Zach Hawthorn as well as drummer Jeffrey “Big Jeff” Johns, those ingrained within the Bristol alternative community will be familiar with local legend Big Jeff. Often described as the country’s most famous concert-goer, but to those in the know so much more. Prolific painter and artist, DJ, music lifer, musician and tonight, one half of the opening act. Now why is this important? Well that’s because almost a year ago now Big Jeff was hospitalised with severe burns and spent approximately six months in treatment. As Jeff says himself between songs only about five-percent of people survive the type of accident he went through. At times incredibly moving, bringing tears to this reviewers eyes, it is hard to describe in words how important and emotional The Outlines set felt tonight. All members of CLT DRP and PEACH are in the audience for the bands moody post-punk tinged offerings, showing their support along with a surprisingly busy crowd considering the early start time of tonights show. To see Jeff not only on his feet and once again getting involved in the scene he loves so dearly, but actively participating as a musician as well is cause for celebration. It’s safe to speak on behalf of not only Bristol’s, but the UK’s alternative scene in general when saying, Jeff, it is a pleasure to have you back mate.
Photo Credit: Taya Llewellyn (@synthesizephoto)
Score: 10/10
PEACH
Having only two officially released songs under their belt, its hard to properly pin down the Bristol quartet PEACH. They’ve only played a smattering of live shows so far over the past two years, but the amount of buzz they have generated off their live performances is well warranted. Blending elements of noise rock, post-punk and desert/stoner rock in their debut singles, tonight’s set is a full showcase of everything PEACH are about. Those aforementioned hallmarks are present across tonights main support, but the material that is yet to see the light of day definitely feels like it fits closer to the noise and stoner influences the band cite with punk-leaning tempos and pace, lending to a familiar yet still exceedingly unique sound. A lot of aspects of the band themselves are unique, vocalist Ellie Godwin has an unmatched vibrato vocal style that is as powerful here as it is with her other project No Violet. Lead guitarist JP Jacyshyn blends in some more complex chords with the big desert-riffs and melodies, complimented by Tim Cooke playing a baritone guitar as opposed to bass and Andy Sutor’s thunderous and methodical drumming.
Between their thick walls of sound and heavy grooves, it wouldn’t be shocking to see PEACH slap bang in the middle of DesertFest or opening for hard-rock riffers PigsPigsPigsPigsPigsPigsPigs, yet they still feel wholly appropriate as the main support for CLT DRP as strange as that may seem on paper. Even though the vast majority of the audience aren’t familiar with all their unreleased material, the crowd are still fully hooked by the performance and excitedly cheering when debut single “Bad Touch” makes its appearance towards the end of the set. Closing their performance with most recent single “I’m Scared”, the crowd is left stunned at what they just witnessed. PEACH have an undeniable power about them in the live environment and are effortlessly engaging. With no news of the debut album, this is the only way to experience the full brilliance of what PEACH have to offer and its safe to say that it will be well worth the wait when the time comes.
Photo Credit: Taya Llewellyn (@synthesizephoto)
Score: 9/10
CLT DRP
CLT DRP have had a busy past twelve months or so, releasing several singles and generating a lot of attention with more prominent festival appearances and opening for acts from Leicester’s post-rock heroes Maybeshewill, Dutch eccentric alternative outfit De Staat, Sub-Pop alternative rap trio Clipping and most recently Alice Glass in between several dates of this very tour. The Brighton based electronic-punk trio have been grinding hard at their craft, bursting out of the other side of lockdown with renewed energy, moving from strength to strength and its paying off in the form of their first extended headline UK tour.
The main room of Exchange is busy as the diverse and inclusive crowd patiently waits for CLT DRP to take to the stage, erupting into applause and cheers as guitarist Scott Reynolds and drummer Daphne Koskeridou take their respective places on stage and damn near losing their minds as vocalist Annie Dorrett grabs her microphone and they launch straight into “Torx”. The band exude energy as they play, commanding the stage and the room effortlessly, everyone in the crowd is moving in their own way, whether headbanging, swaying or dancing along. All three members are clearly still loving every second of performing, especially noticeable when they stray into the newer tracks.
Tonight’s set is focused on what’s next for the CLT DRP, the set is stuffed with the singles they have been dropping over the past year, such as the atmospheric and brooding “Ownership” and the extremely personal “Aftermath”, as well as showcasing some unreleased material. With their recent signing to Venn Records and their second album on the horizon, it is an exciting opportunity to get a little sneak preview of the upcoming album and its safe to say the band are as dynamic and unique as ever. The electronic heavy stomp ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’ and ‘Affirmations’ rhythmic grooves have been a part of their setlist for a little while now, but two fresh additions made their way in the form of “Cake 4 the Women” and “Only One”.
CLT DRP are incredibly captivating performers when on stage. Daph’s precision behind the kit is still mesmerising to watch as she confidently weaves between rhythms on the drums and sample pad, often blending the two. Scott is still one of the most unique guitarists active in the UK, using his monstrously impressive and technical pedal-board to synthesise his guitar and plays double duty providing the bass as well with looping and live sampling. Between her powerful vocal deliveries and the serious nature of the more personal tracks, Annie has a near permanent smile on her face as she’s performing to the crowd, feeding off their energy and engaging with them often. Whether between songs with chatter or spotting familiar faces during her performance, she is an incredibly captivating front-woman who has mastered the art of keeping a crowd engaged. Speaking of which, at times the crowd themselves are almost as loud as Annie when they’re singing along with debut album cuts “Where The Boys Are” and “I Don’t Want to Go to the Gym”.
The band intend to close their set tonight with the most recent single “Best Boy”, but the reaction from the crowd as the final moments come to a close is so dominant and overwhelming that they are forced to make their way back to the stage for an honest to god, unintended and organic encore. Closing tonight’s show proper with the back to back crowd favourites of “I Always Liked Your Mother Better” and the ever powerful “Speak to My”, CLT DRP once again prove why they’re in such high demand and their live shows are spoken of with reverence. Any opportunity to see them should be seized immediately, as tonight’s show demonstrates it is only a matter of time now until CLT DRP are skyrocketing further up festival bills and playing to larger venues.
Photo Credit: Taya Llewellyn (@synthesizephoto)
Score: 9/10