HARLOT @ Sidney and Matilda, 24th January

Tonight’s show is in the basement of Sidney of Matilda, it’s dark and has a certain grungy aesthetic. There’s an atmosphere of support for the band mixed with energetic suspense, I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a lively one!

Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret is the support acts up first. They’re local and have brought a big following with them. There’s lots of crowd support throughout their set and the room is full. They’re unique and talented. Their aesthetic is matched by their all-dark outfits with hints of red throughout in lipstick, sunglasses and a red guitar.  

The set starts off mellow and well-timed, and the bass gets heavier and faster. It’s hard to generify them, they mix multiple musical styles and can do it all well. Their vocals are interesting and distinctive, they’re all contributing evenly to the performance. 

They play a range of original songs which are anthem-like like as well as a Nirvana cover which was executed well. They’re all playing in sync, even with the announcement of a new band member. They lacked confidence at times but they didn’t need to at all. 

Hex Poseur

Hex poseur gives no verbal introduction to themselves and start their set off loud, with all instruments played at once. It’s bass-heavy and very screamy in a delightful way, with emphasized thundering drums alongside.  

Hugely powerful vocals range from singing to belting to screaming; effortlessly and often.  

Suspenseful beats and downward bass riffs are booming. There’s an air of suspense with well-timed guitar intros. There’s so much energy throughout their whole set. 

Fast-paced rhythms are urgently timed and abrupt lyrics are delivered with lots of force, emphasis and passion, their energy is devoted to the audience. 

They demand our concentration throughout the chaos and we are physically engaged with all heads bopping unitedly and bodies moving to the beat. There’s attitude and rage behind lyrics screamed such as “I want my body back”. Emotions from the stage are spilling into the audience as we match their energy.  

They’re non-conforming in the best way possible and hugely talented.

 

Harlot arrive on stage geared up for madness. They combine their attitude with a sense of nonchalance and magnificent stage presence. They know how to keep the crowd engaged. 

They look incredibly controversial and it suits them. Their outfits and styles are personal to their own individual styles, but they work well together. “Kill cops, fuck dykes” is scrawled on the lead singer’s chest.

They’re bursting with talent and a lot of confidence. The set is filled with surprises throughout and they fluctuate between styles of different songs well. 

It’s a hometown show and it’s not long until there’s a drumstick in the crowd. A few songs in and the lead singer is lying on the floor of the stage in accomplishment.  

It’s dramatic and compelling. They play new and old songs for the adoring audience. They also play some covers. Their facial expressions are twisting into gurns, even while singing angelically, poking for audience reactions, holding the mic away from the stage and into the crowd at times. 

They’re authentically punk, comfortable in their own skins and in their performance style. They have so much fiery energy and work so well together. You can feel their bond exude off the stage. 

Their expressions and smiles at each other are lovable, the audience looks at each other the same way when intros to songs are played. They play Music from their hearts and the crowd follows. Everyone is equally as happy to be here.  

Towards the end of the set their screams become the loudest and most guttural with huge meaning behind the words. At times they scream loudly and synchronized for seemingly no reason, but it works.  

The set was stripped back, nothing additional just their Music and their style making their unique and raw talents shine through. They’re going to go far. 

Artists: Harlot