A low, punchy bass that wound through the gut, followed by a popping snare hit that cut through the chest, greeted the crowd as the performance began.
On stage, the Leeds four-piece Bank Details brought a raw energy, typified by noisy ambient build ups and
crashing, sludgy heavy breakdowns – setting an electrifying tone for the night.
Bank Details
Next came Scarborough’s Pleasure Centre, beginning with a rising pitch, like a vintage gramophone slowly coming to life. Crisp guitar plucks slotted effortlessly between intricate rhythmic bass grooves, creating a unique flow of sound.
Pleasure Centre
The vocals showcased a dynamic range that added depth and intensity to the performance, with occasional harmonies weaving through the music creating an extra dimension of texture to the overall sound.
Both acts had already set the energy high, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation as Coldwave took the stage. Under a blanket of red light, the Australian band opened with an intensifying assault of searing guitar noise – a car engine gunning to life, spitting out its toxic fumes. Beams of meandering trumpet swept through chorus-infused guitar, like the shifting sands of vast desert dunes. The vocals alternated between soft spoken passages and charged, almost primal outbursts, creating an emotional and sonic rollercoaster.
At points, a shimmering ambience punctuated the shouted vocals, offering a contrasting background. To the right of the stage, a guitarist hunched over a cluster of pedals, hair sweeping across his face as he pulled tortured, scorched feedback from his guitar, summoning scraping, cacophonous metallic creaks from down under. Meanwhile, the trumpet frantically spat out manic spurts of mutilated distortion. The energy in the room was palpable, as the audience could feel the intensity reverberating through their bones, which only heightened as the night wore on.
The intensity carried through until the end of the set, and Coldwave was met with a very warm reception from the Leeds crowd. It was clear that the band’s unique blend of post-punk, blissful trumpet and experimental sounds had struck a chord.
Formed in 2020 from the ashes of two Tandanya/Adelaide post-punk outfits, the band has come a long way both musically and physically, with the night marking the third date of their debut UK tour.
Their most recent EP, The Ants / Italia ’06, showcases the band’s creative depth. The track Italia ’06 also has an accompanying music video, featuring a live performance that captures an immersive energy, perfectly mirroring the intensity of the song.
Following their UK tour, the band is set to head to America, with a few dates in Austin, Texas on the horizon. The future looks incredibly bright for Coldwave, and their performance on this night was just a glimpse of what’s to come.
To follow their journey and keep updated on future releases, click here.
Photography by Holly Hemingway.
