Review: The New Cut, Crofters Rights – ‘My new favourite Bristol band’

After what should be a brief cycle to this gig turned into a puncture and near-death collision with a Deliveroo cyclist on Turbo Island me and my friend made it and were more than happy to be at Crofters Rights and to still be alive.

Gloom Index open proceedings tonight with, well some gloom, but this is good gloom. The first lyric I hear is Lewis Weyman bound “I had a dream of a deep abyss” delivered in a Nick Cave-like deep, deep tone that has us under.

On singers Rosie May’s signal, the crowd glides forward to get close “goths sssemble” the crowd is met by fuzzy bass lines unexpected heavy drumbeats, and echoed looped vocals that fill the room with gloom and glory simultaneously.

It takes a few songs before we all get to give them a round of applause and show some appreciation for their intense talents. If you want a Psychedelic Goth duo then this is your band.

The happiness measurement was sky high after this performance.

Gag Salon make an immediate impression, as they get the crowd moving instantly. Playing their first gig in Bristol and meaning business.

Horses is crazily good art rock mix of Clor and Franz Ferdinand and has the crowd leaping, its pretty impossible not to dance to this band.

They gallop through their set riding head long into every song with singer Joseph Mumford’s blinkers/shade firmly on.

I’m stood stage left in the loudest and best place possible as The New Cut’s singer Henry is clearly enjoying their set dancing away beside me. He says I should stick around for the main act with a smile.

“This song about a boy who turns into a fish!” the band tell us as they introduce the indie gold that is Fishyman, Pt.(FlipFlop).

Everyone’s dancing by this point and having a lovely time as the band repeat Flip Flop, Flip Flop Flip Flop. What’s not to like here?  Always watch the support and you will be rewarded.

I was on a high after both supports and was told to “expect energy!” by one fan who had already seen The New Cut.

“Anybody here a football fan?” Henry asks before they play the indie banger that should be huge, Stephen Gerrard Is My Dad, reminding me instantly of my favourite band Art Brut.

It’s a song to make you smile a massive crowd pleaser. They pop two new songs in the set seamlessly and the crowd dance like they’ve heard them before.

The atmosphere here is great, full of mates cheering false starts to songs and grooving to Rachal Parr on bass guitar.

Everyone knows all the words to Family Business and sing along word for word despite its speedy lyrics “stop it twist it, bop it” I realise I suddenly know the words too!

There is hair flailing, beer spilling, and this gig is flying by way too fast!

This band are my new favourite Bristol band. My mate has a t-shirt and we both have three new bands that we love. Good Times.

Main photo: jon_barrett_photos

Read next:

• Review: Levert, The New Room – ‘Spontaneous, unplanned magic’
• Review: Skpinnish, The Fleece – ‘There’s something of The Pogues about them’
• Review: Dream Wife, Strange Brew – ‘A raucous riot’

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