Brighton based once-upon-a-time trio The Wytches have been subject of a lot of praise from myself of late, and tonight’s gig at the Wedgewood Rooms proved just why. After the sludge of Violet Mud, and the frenzy that was Bad Breeding, the headliners filed on stage to the background of the eerie intro of their latest album, ready to continue stirring their cauldron of psychedelic grunge.
The Wytches’ second album All Your Happy Life refines and distributes a honed in sound; a pastiche of their former self, with a much darker approach. Tonight, this new concentrated style resonated with opening track ‘C-Side’ ramming the intimate venue’s interior with a sinister aura.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_BixyTrY7o&w=720&h=422]
Abnormally with a tour coinciding with a new album, the setlist was light on material from All Your Happy Life, and instead formed a compilation of B-sides like the dreamy ‘Hannover Square’, non-album tracks including recent staple ‘Wasteybois’, and songs off the Home Recordings EP including the ringing and ominous ‘Who Rides’.
Songs from 2014 debut album Annabel Dream Reader found themselves burrowed in between, with the gut-busting ‘Gravedweller’ slotting itself in the midst of a varied and fresh set and jerking ‘Burn Out The Bruise’ knocking us mere mortals for six. Much to my surprise, the minacious ‘Crying Clown’ rounded up the main set, prior to chants from the crowd for an encore.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBc0JIPkyvM&w=720&h=422]
Amiss old favourites ‘Wire Frame Mattress’ and ‘Digsaw’, The Wytches rumbled back on stage, serving up 2 final songs including the snarling ‘Can’t Face It’, before descending off stage again, post-triumph.
After wrapping up a UK tour with Jamie T just over a week ago, it’d be easy to expect a tired set, but as ever, The Wytches summoned a vicious attitude, coupled with a riot of energy.
Words by Jasmin Robinson