Wargasm / Rock City / Nottingham
Back to my favourite stomping ground tonight at Rock City in Nottingham for the visit of British electronic rock duo Wargasm. I was really looking forward to tonight with a fantastic support line up of Harpy and CLT DRP. Great to catch up with staff and fellow photographer Gary before we kick off and then it’s into the pit.
First up is Harpy, and what a treat this is. Dressed all in black latex Harpy delivers a blindingly good set of gothic pop. Her vocals are powerful and delicate and delivered with a passion. The set delivers a great balance between power and darker more ethereal moments. I’d not seen Harpy before and the set certainly left an impression. This is definitely an artist with a long and bright future ahead.
A quick turn round and next up are CLT DRP. I saw CLT DRP play a tiny venue called Voodoo Daddys in Norwich earlier this summer and they were simply incredible. They OWNED the place ! I was excited to see them again following the release of their new album “Nothing Clever, Just Feelings” on a bigger stage. They didn’t disappoint ! A band with an ethos of doing what the love and breaking conventions and norms, they stepped up to the bigger venue with confidence. As always Daphne’s drumming was spot on, with a range of interesting timings, while Scott has a pedal board that would be any guitar nerds dream come true. The sound the two create is incredible, complex and deep.
Annie’s vocals are filled with passion and intensity and the audience are soon lapping it up. CLT DRP are full of life, energy and attitude, but not in a negative way, embracing the world around them and fighting back, as only CLT DRP can.
I was so impressed with their performance tonight. The new material works well live, and I’m sure they made lots of news fans tonight !
The place is rocking now as we wait for headliners Wargasm to hit the stage. Formed in London back in 2018, it is the creation of Sam Matlock (vocals and guitar) and Milkie Way (vocals and guitar).
As they ran out onto the stage, jumping straight on to the raised plinths at the front of the stage, the energy and intensity was off the chart, and it didn’t dip one minute until they walked off again at the end. Wargasm have created a unique niche for themselves, with a nu-metal presence mixed with old school dance. Sam delivers the harsh growls and screams, while Milkie provides the gorgeous softer vocals, the balance working so so well. They never stop moving and the energy rubs off on the audience who are bouncing. Its not just them either, keyboards, drummer and bass all bouncing and rocking, a band clearly in their element and loving what they do.
The latest album “Venom” features prominently in the set list. Highlights for me included a blistering rendition of Pyro Pyro which had the crowd circling the floor and Bang Ya Head, Modern Love & Do It So Good from the latest album which make the transition to live set brilliantly.
It’s a slick, fast paced and energetic set, and shows how much Wargasm have grown and matured in the last couple of years. A band that is on the rise, and getting better and better with each album.
Harpy was a great find, dark, gothic and mysterious, and vocals to die for. CLT DRP delivered once again, full of attitude and complex and intricate melodies, and Wargasm…. Are just a whirlwind of high octane energy. A night that will last in the memory for a long time. If you get the chance to see Wargasm…. Don’t miss out !
