SWX, Bristol, 25th March 2025
Packed tightly into SWX like a can of sardines, the room is swelteringly hot and the excitement is palpable as lively chatter ripples throughout the audience. Following an invigorating, sax-infused warm up by Silvertwin, the crowd are desperate for The Lathums to make their anticipated on-stage appearance.
From the moment they step on stage, Wigan-born The Lathums have the audience wrapped around their little fingers. They are effortlessly cool in simple, dark-toned outfits, whilst a plain backdrop consisting of their logo puts the band at the forefront.
Beginning with the new album Matter Does Not Define’s first single ‘No Direction’, lead singer and frontman Alex Moore’s hearty vocals take centre stage. Moore cheerfully greets the audience with a “Good evening, party people!” and a party it indeed was.
Fun, fast-paced, and anthemic, the new song ‘Heartbreaker’ is a jaunty number that has the crowd boogying, whilst ‘Leave No Stone Unturned’ has the audience enraptured from the start. Despite coming from their new album, the audience’s dedication to chanting every lyric gives the impression that these new tunes are decades-old fan favourites.
Whether old or young, the crowd is ear-drum-shatteringly loud
Alongside the newer songs, the Madness-esque ‘I See Your Ghost’ from their debut album How Beautiful Life Can Be brings a heavier, rockier beat. It’s very drum-driven, whilst an epic, powerful guitar solo by Scott Concepcion has the crowd mesmerised. During ‘Fight On’, the audience belts out the lyrics “So fight on / My little bird / Oh I’m running jumping flying / Gunning faster fighting / Faster than the world” like a power chant. Accompanied by bright flashing lights, it’s notably heavier than the studio version, bringing an edge to The Lathums, which is not always identifiable when listening at home.
Everything about their performance is loud, from Moore’s roaring vocals to the thumping drums and intense bass and guitar. The Lathums’ powerful sound could easily fill bigger venues, but watching them perform in the SWX creates such a strong connection with the band and the audience which would be inimitable in a larger space.
Whilst very few audience members sport Lathums clobber, the band seem to have cultivated a small army of dedicated fans spanning all ages. Whether old or young, the crowd is ear-drum-shatteringly loud both in their singing and the riotous applause which follows every song.
Some gentle, acoustic songs provide essential respite from these energetic tunes. Moore performs ‘Unrequited Love’ and ‘All My Life’ sans-band, accompanied solely by his acoustic guitar. Gigantic glistening disco balls hang elegantly from the ceiling, bathing the audience in twinkling lights. Despite standing on a sticky floor in the heart of Bristol, listeners are instantly transported to an otherworldly haven of tranquillity. These slower numbers display Moore’s raw, powerful voice in its full glory, and despite the thousand-odd other people in the audience, the performance feels as intimate as having him sing in your living room.
The Lathums have perfected the live show
In ‘All My Life’, Moore leads the crowd in singing the chorus acapella. This spine-tingling moment of human connection exemplifies The Lathums’ ability to bring people together through music.
What is most striking is how continuously humble Moore is throughout the night. A jovial ‘thank you very very much’ follows numerous songs, and Moore addresses the audience to thank everyone for coming along and singing and dancing. With lots of discussions regarding the lack of opportunities for working-class musicians today, working-class The Lathums seem eternally grateful for their success and deeply appreciative of the support from their fans.
As the lights dim, a stampede of deafening, anticipatory stomps and claps proliferate as everyone is desperate for the band to return to the stage for a final few songs.
Beginning the encore with ‘Long Shadows’, Moore’s voice is raw and grungy, whilst Ryan Durrans’ pulsating drums and the atmospheric purple lighting emphasise the song’s moody edge. In a vulnerable Instagram post last week, the band shared that they previously felt unsure about playing ‘Long Shadows’ live because of its emotion and raw energy, which they weren’t sure they could capture on stage. They needn’t have worried – ‘Long Shadows’ is the perfect encore song to draw the audience back in and showcase the vulnerability which is so prevalent throughout The Lathums’ discography.
‘Sad Face Baby’ closes the night, bringing the final wave of spritely, upbeat energy synonymous with The Lathums’ performance tonight.
Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ blares from the speakers as the stage begins to clear, but rather than making a mad dash for the exit, most of the crowd remain in place, dancing along and chatting with friends. It’s clear everybody wants the party to keep going all night, and stepping back onto the streets of Bristol feels like a chore that nobody is quite ready for.
The Lathums have perfected the live show. With their commanding stage presence and their failsafe catalogue of upbeat indie melodies, they flawlessly execute an engaging night of fun, while slower songs offer a time for reflection and showcase their introspective, more vulnerable side.
Words: Abi Manley
Image: Press
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