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Review: Shame, SWX – ‘The more energy the crowd gave, the more the band gave back’
Shame returned to Bristol on top form, blasting through a set of songs from all three of their albums and providing one of the highest energy sets I’ve seen.
Shame are an incredibly interesting band to follow. After listening to their debut album, you would never expect them to make something like their second, Drunk Tank Pink.
And then, after listening to Drunk Tank Pink, you would never expect them to make something like Food For Worms. These three albums are sonically very different but all share an incredible lively energy.
is needed now More than ever
Seeing Shame live makes their musical decisions up to this point make so much more sense. The songs flow perfectly into one another, with the reflective cuts from Food For Worms perfectly complimenting the manic post-punk of the previous projects.
While Alibi may be a strange choice for an opener, the live setting made its chorus come to life and the crowd was immediately invested.
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In fact, there really wasn’t a slump in the crowd’s energy all night, making it a really special one to be a part of. The more energy the crowd gave, the more the band gave back.
Leading this performance masterfully was frontman Charlie Steen. His commitment to every track on the setlist, combined with crowd surfing, mic stand wielding and, of course, taking his shirt off after one song, was an absolute wonder to watch.
His enthusiasm was so infectious and he truly is one of the best live frontmen performing currently. While he’s known for belters like Shame classic One Rizla, he can also deliver a beautiful sincerity too.
His performance of Aderall perfectly matched the heartfelt and caring lyrics and I was hypnotised.
The rest of the band, while far more reserved, were excellent. Highlights included the emotional descending riff on Fingers of Steel, the completely explosive noise of Fall Of Paul and the ominous and relentless drums on Snow Day.
Drummer Charlie Forbes is very overlooked in the post-punk scene and his stamina is incredible.
Whatever version of Shame is your favourite, I can’t recommend their gigs enough.
The mosh pit will be brutal, the performances full of anger and love, and the setlist excellently arranged.
Never once did the energy drop in SWX, solidifying Shame as one of the best live bands around right now.
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