Exchange Bristol, 2nd October 2024 Last night (2nd October) I picked up a last-minute review spot for a gig at Exchange Bristol, as friend and fellow TSM writer Jace was under the weather. And I was certainly lucky to catch an evening of music which I will not forget for a long time. Sløtface (previouslyContinue reading “Sløtface shines at Bristol’s Exchange: a night to remember”
Author Archives: TrueStyle Sophie
Boston Manor’s biggest headline show yet is the triumphant start of a new era
O2 Forum Kentish Town, 27 September 2024 “This is the one. The big one,” proclaims Henry Cox, vocalist for Boston Manor. Tonight marks the band’s biggest headline show to date, as they play London’s 2000-capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town. Since their debut EP back in 2014, the Blackpool-born-and-bred band has steadily risen to success. Still,Continue reading “Boston Manor’s biggest headline show yet is the triumphant start of a new era”
From grit to glam: Pale Waves’ Smitten dazzles but plays it safe
If Pale Waves’ last album Unwanted (2022) was a collection of dark, vindictive pop-punk bangers, 2024’s Smitten sees the band completely flip the script in favour of a collection of twelve sparkly, glittery tracks that lean closer to The Cranberries than The Cure. The comparison between Pale Waves and The Cranberries goes beyond the bands’Continue reading “From grit to glam: Pale Waves’ Smitten dazzles but plays it safe”
American Football live review: a nostalgic celebration of a cult classic album
SWX Bristol, 13th September 2024 It was the first true moody, angsty, cold day of the year, setting the scene perfectly for a good, nostalgic Midwest emo show. I was shivering in my band hoodie and beanie on my way to SWX to see the legendary friends from Illinois who released a genre-defining debut LPContinue reading “American Football live review: a nostalgic celebration of a cult classic album”
Blossoms have mastered their sound with their triumphant new album, Gary
With four top 5 UK albums and countless sold-out headline shows under their belts, Stockport-born Blossoms are no strangers to the indie-rock scene. Whilst every Blossoms album has a distinctive sound, they have perhaps previously played it safe with fairly conventional, primarily guitar-based melodies; what is striking about Gary is Blossoms’ new, funky, synth-driven style. Continue reading “Blossoms have mastered their sound with their triumphant new album, Gary”
Hello Mary ‘Emita Ox’ review: bold, daring, and experimental
Oxen symbolise power, strength, and boldness, which are also qualities that define Hello Mary’s second album, Emita Ox. After the alt-rock trio’s self-titled debut was released to critical acclaim, they wasted no time and turned things up a notch. The result? An experimental, daring album and a strident step forward for the band. There areContinue reading “Hello Mary ‘Emita Ox’ review: bold, daring, and experimental”
“Honestly, I would say all of this is real”: Wunderhorse on playing live, disconnecting from technology, and Midas
For some, Wunderhorse is a household name. For others, the response will be, “Who?”. As of right now, bubbling just beneath the surface of the mainstream contemporary rock scene, a band called Wunderhorse has been slowly rising, waiting for the moment to break through into their well-deserved mainstream fame. And after the release of theirContinue reading ““Honestly, I would say all of this is real”: Wunderhorse on playing live, disconnecting from technology, and Midas“
Wunderhorse Midas review: a patchwork of images of a society hurtling towards dystopia
In 2022, Wunderhorse, then the solo project for frontman Jacob Slater, released their debut album, Cub. Filled to the brim with catchy, energetic rock, Cub put Slater into a very comfortable spot in the current rock landscape, earning him support slots for the likes of Fontaines DC and Declan McKenna. Paired with a burgeoning fanbase,Continue reading “Wunderhorse Midas review: a patchwork of images of a society hurtling towards dystopia”
2000trees review: crowd surfing in the Cotswolds hills
Post-hardcore, yoga mornings, folk-rock bangers, the legendary Bunnymans, and four nights of silent disco. Where else could we be but 2000trees Festival? With the United Kingdom buzzing in the strange afterglow of a landslide general election and the flags of Glastonbury only just beginning to fade from memory, all is quiet and peaceful in theContinue reading “2000trees review: crowd surfing in the Cotswolds hills”
Keane live at Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza review: a spellbinding, euphoric celebration of Hopes and Fears
Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, 3rd August 2024 With it being 20 years since the release of their debut album, some may dismiss Keane as a time-worn band, superseded by newer alt-rockers. However, situated amongst the picturesque ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, and coupled with the slowly setting sun and a gentle summer breeze, Keane’s performance is etherealContinue reading “Keane live at Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza review: a spellbinding, euphoric celebration of Hopes and Fears“