Hawxx play the legendary venue “Corporation” in Sheffield. Upon arrival we’re given lyric books which are designed to look like church hymn sheets. We open page one to lyrics which jump out at us “Where’s the autonomy in my own body?” We’re ready for
tonight’s ritual.
Set lists are scrawled with permanent marker on to ripped out notebook pages on the stage floor, we can’t quite make them out and there’s many surprises about to follow in tonight’s show.
Harlot
Harlot are the first support act. They start their set melodious. The first song is growing louder and louder instrumentally. Vocally it progresses from sweet “lalala’s” to guttural screams. Fluctuations between the sweetest singing and harshest screaming
sounds are absolutely unhinged. The singer/guitarist has the most beautifully powerful voice. The set is filled with angst and rage. Swapping raw loudness between them and adding to each other’s madness, the bass notes strummed intensely and as high as they can go. The lead singers’ eyes widen as hard vocals advance; their expressions loud.
We’re feeling the persistently strong and well-timed drumming in our bones. Their looks and sounds are completely unique as they perform with nonchalant concentration. Simple chords and lyrics in threes to match gives us a sense of conformity, we realize we’ve been misled when this quickly turns into an untimed, sense of urgency and disruptive next song, the set seems meant to be non-perfected.
Some nerves showed through at times but they made up for this in authenticity. We want to get to know them and wish they’d engage more with the crowd in-between songs.
The lack of energy from the audience was resurrected by possessed screaming from the most piercing voice. Mesmerizingly terrifying in the most beautifully intriguing way.
Shindig are next on the line up and introduce themselves with fast paced quirky tweaking on instruments and consistently in time rhythms. Fierce drumming leads us into an extremely energetic lead singer who’s sporadic in his performance style.
High pitched twanging at lyrical intervals creates a really original and fresh sound. They remain true to themselves with an obvious musical repression to the traditional. Nothing is defined but all is combined.
Punky screams and two stepping ska moves makes it the most chaotic performance. We’re uniquely surprised throughout. We can’t hear the lead singers voice over the instrumental at times while singing but when screaming he overpowers everything.
Abrupt endings are intensified throughout the set. They successfully “Bastardized” a Bob Dylan cover, (in their words). Brave for that. They love what they do. Mistakes were made, nobody cared. Quick screams match quicker paced instruments but the crowd is
only mildly engaging throughout.
The sound balance gets sorted half way through the set, in time for the ode to their hometown-Scarborough which they describe lyrically as “Grim”. The lead singer is now making arm movements like he’s swimming on the stage through thickened air. Their songs are unpredictably named and they announce them casually, next up is “bin bags”. Intriguing. Nothing makes sense, nothing needs to. So comfortable in their chaos.
Cheeky grins between themselves and the audience matched with saving their best three songs for last ensures the crowd are bopping around now. A small mosh pit begins; friendly and enticing; recruiting more people.
Longed out riffs with head banging is in full swing. The band overenthusiastically dancing for their song “Mr. Happy” is displayed in a sarcastic manner. Definitely not perfect but definitely not meant to be.
Hawxx
The Universal movie intro is played on a backing track, tin whistle style, as the band take their positions on the stage. We’re straight into well thought out insanity. Jerky high-pitched guitars, literal wind behind the bass (keeping our hair out of our faces,
ensuring we’re engaged) and drum beats; shake our very existence. They look stunning and so unique, their style and make up, a statement in itself. They come across as not fragile despite the red printed “fragile” tape around the lead singer’s chest. Their
stage presence impeccable. They captivate the crowd with intense stares of intrigue and redemption. Their movements incredible and accentuated by their screaming. Powerful rage in doses of high energy.
Vocally and instrumentally; individually they’re all multi-talented. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their facial expressions while playing are satisfied and sure.
They encourage us to scream from the depths of hell and it’s feral. We’re commanded to be louder- and it’s scarily obeyed. They play their song “Death of silence” and we’re completely lost in the noise. Thundering guitars and bass we can feel in the souls of
our feet are enhanced to levels we didn’t know existed.
Vocals are screamed so powerfully they’re to be feared; the sound reverberates through our souls. Their stances as powerful as their voices. They’re original and political. Their lyrics and crowd interactions include standing up against patriarchal violence
and genocide. They commendably use their platform to create solidarity and ethical rage within the room.
Angry songs are sung through gritted teeth with hardened expressions in their eyes. It seems they are at one with their music; a direct reflection of themselves and how they feel about the world.
Flowing choir like singing which echoes angelically and mesmerizingly, beautiful and unexpectedly transforms into thrashing; the way they move with each other on stage throughout both is loving and special. Soft echos and bell chimes lead to suddenly enforced full throttle instrumentals and we lose all expectations for what’s next.
The crowd is stunned by the sudden stillness of the harmonized isolated vocals, which quickly turns to head banging in delight; the perfect balance. Drums intense and consistently keeping our hearts beating. The bands facial expressions twist in agony and graceful passion on queue with the deepening lyrics.
They announce they have a special guest for tonight. “We are the buttercups”. It is in fact their “alter egos”. The lead singer and drummer come in to the crowd and play the accordion and tin whistle while we all clap in tune. The electronic bass explosions
which sound warped from the stage leads us back into what feels like reality…
Guitars being played at high pitched frequencies, their pace sounding like warning sirens seems to make the room pulse with sounds.
Songs are now dedicated to the fear of violence while walking home alone, lyrics which unfortunately feel too relatable and evoke intense emotions in us. Hawxx express that there is unity through love, honesty and unstoppable anger. They urge us to “Trust your
rage”. They create a space to process the world around us. The crowd has adoration with no stagnation throughout their set.
Synchronized operatic isolated acapella with one hand raised in the air each, sounds so stunningly chilling everyone is in awe. It’s enchanting like a Siren’s song. The notes become lower and lower until they lead to guttural screams, melodies paired with opposing chants to a steady drum beat begins to sound Viking like. The lights are dimmed to their mystical silhouettes of success. Pain and torture on the expressions of faces but their voices un wavered.
So much justified rage, unity and enlightenment in one room created such a safe space. Hawxx are defying musical norms. Every detail of their band’s existence is their own. They gave so much energy up until the last second of the performance; where they all
lay down on the floor in succession, the overwhelming applaud from the crowd outlining their achievements.
