Review: Peach, The Louisiana – ‘Always on point, always intense’

There aren’t many more apt places in Bristol to spend an evening in Independent Venue Week than The Louisiana, to watch another of Bristol’s long list of emerging artists, Peach.

I was all set for a noisy night and wasn’t disappointed.

First up was Bristol/Bath three-piece Killer Mirror Image opening to a crowd of four that thankfully increased within a minute to fill the room as people twigged something was going on upstairs.

The band caught attention straight away with post-punk infused with funky basslines and songs that start over within themselves, tying themselves in melodic knots. The singer has the prestigious and mind-boggling talent of drumming and singing simultaneously.

the Bath/Bristol trio call their sound ‘fast and loose post-jank’

Cardiff-based noise rockers SHLUG take to the stage next, with singer Ellis taking no time to strip from his Panic Shack t-shirt and all his clothes to reveal the worst pants in rock’n’roll.

Milk Teef smashes us in the ears straight off the bat, with Ellis battering his head on the mic several times and spitting at the ceiling as they embark on attacking our senses.

SHLUG: he worst pants in rock and roll?

The Welsh flag drapes proudly on the amp as they bombard us with malicious intent, so much so that I have to move back to save my head.

The noise is reduced to Welsh whispers as the room falls silent and braces itself. Then the horrifically titled Grated Thumbs lifts us out and continues to barrage.

The drum beats like a machine gun as Ellis detunes his guitar and gives it to one unsuspecting fan to play as he drops to the ground wrapped in the Welsh flag, screaming, writhing and banging the floor to end the set. SHLUG left an indelible mark on the Louisiana crowd last night and we’ll never forget those pants.

One fan ended up taking on guitar duties for Shlug at the end of their set

The room feels hyped and buzzing as Peach take to the stage for their first gig of the year. The crowd let the band know they are amongst friends straight away.

They open with Dread. Singer Ellie Godwin’s performance is always on point and always intense. With a broad smile, the drummer says “We sound fucking great!!” and it’s hard to argue.

The most exciting thing about the set is the new songs As I’m Told and Forget, sucking us in with Ellie’s incredibly lush and vulnerable vocals, calm until it loses itself in a punk rock crescendo.

Touch Me is a Peach classic and always will be, tackling the subject of consent head-on in a lyrically succinct way. Ellie has a wild look in her, more than catharsis, one of complete immersion in what she is doing. Existing within the song where words erupt from her in passion and beauty.

Ellie Godwin’s vocal talents shine, putting Peach firmly in the ‘one to watch’ category

Peach don’t do encores (despite a request from the crowd to play the whole set again): why waste time when you have I’m Scared and Settle Down to end with? The moment when the former breaks down from vocals to crunching riff is rock performance perfection.

My ears hate me, but I don’t care, new Peach material is exciting enough for it not to matter.

Catch them next at the Exchange on April 17

All images: Matt Barnes

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