The Howling Tides / Rescue Rooms / Nottingham
A trip into Nottingham tonight, to the Rescue Rooms as they celebrate their 20th anniversary to see The Howling Tides. I had seen The Howling Tides once before supporting Skindred alongside Raging Speedhorn. What a night that was !
First up was Nottingham alt/punk band Left Hand Lane, a band I’d not seen before. I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised how good they were. They had a great energetic stage presence and delivered a cracking set.
With whirling riffs underpinned with some excellent bass it really grabs your attention and has an emotional edge to it. It was unfortunately a short set, as I’d have loved to listen to more but I think Lefgt Hand Lane are well worth a listen and one for the future.
Set List
Fly
Burn
Ciggy
Please Tell Me
Mr Man
No Friend
Psychosis
My Confession
Readers may have seen that we only recently reviewed Anchor Lane’s new album “Call this a Reality?” giving it an excellent score of 9.5/10 We said at the time that we thought the new material would translate well to the live stage.
So after a short change over, Anchor Lane sprung out on to the stage full of energy. All the songs showcased tonight were from the new album and wow, what a performance it was !
The set began with the first track from the album Stutter with the three piece setting the intensity bar high right from the outset with frontman Conor bounding round the staged. It hooks you in right from the start with its big sound and relentless drum beat driving it on with a crisp, clear guitar riff.
A real highlight of the set was the album’s title track Call this a Reality? Where Conor’s vocals really shine through. It’s darker edge and fuzzy riffs work so well together. It really gets the crowd rocking.
There’s a shout out from the stage for the audience to help with The Mischievous Song as Conor leads the crowd to practice their lines. This one has a real bouncy melody and catchy chorus which the crowd enthusiastically shout along to.
The set rounds off with Choke, a riff fuelled adrenaline rush full of attitude and finally I Don’t Have Another Soul to Pour the final track on the album and a great set closer too, being another riff laden affair, fast and powerful from start to finish.
I loved the new album, and I have to say having seen them live, the trio just exude energy, power and confidence. Their sound feels much greater than you’d expect from a trio.
Set List
Stutter
Call this a Reality
I’ve Been Waiting
The Mischievous Song
Choke
I Don’t Have Another Soul to Pour
Another quick turn round on stage, checking the mics and sound levels and we were ready for tonight’s headlines The Howling Tides. I have to admit, that when I saw them back in 2021 supporting Skindred, it was alright, you know ? What a difference a couple of years can make. Tonight, headlining, they owned the stage and delivered a powerful and confident performance. They have a bit of a retro bluesy rock feel to them, but with a modern twist, with plenty of melody and a rock solid bass sound.
The performance was full of energy and the crowd were rocking right from the off. Rob Baynes (vocals/guitar) moved about the stage effortlessly and full of confidence while Adam Brewell holds down the low end with an exceptional performance on bass, matching the rhythm from drummer Steven Herbert perfectly. Hayden Kirk on guitar rattles out the riffs pulling the whole sound together. Somehow, The Howling Tides 2023 seemed different from when I saw them before. There was a new confidence and they delivered a dominant set.
Perhaps the highlight of the set for me was a brilliant rendition of 12/8 which has a raw almost vicious edge to it and is a full on rock and roll kinda track. Other highlights were Angels and Fools, which had a much darker, edgier feel to it and the opener Blue Moon which is bluesy and sees them at their best along with Thalia which has a distinct Audioslave feel to it, no bad thing ! The set ends with their 2021 single White Crow. Another track with a distinctly blues feel to it and a real powerhouse of a track to end on with some beautiful guitar skills. The crowd are loving it.
The Howling Tides have really hit top form, and delivered an outstanding set. Their sound is full and rounded and belies their youth. Anchor Lane were everything I expected and more. I’ll be looking out to see them headline soon, I won’t want to miss that ! And then there was Left Hand Lane, who were fantastic too. Overall, a fantastic night from start to finish.
Set List
Blue Moon (2022 Blue Moon EP)
Thalia (2021 Single/2022 Blue Moon EP)
Angels and Fools
Cheap Painkiller (2018 THT EP)
12/8
Fortune
Elephant GY
Idle Hands
Cut your Losses
He Told me (2018 THT EP)
Crack my Soul (2018 THT EP)
White Crow (2021 Single)
