There’s no better way to end a stressful week at work than a trip to the Brude on a Friday night.
Although I hadn’t heard of Marisa and the Moths before, there have been plenty of artists I’ve reviewed that I haven’t listened to, and have left feeling glad to have discovered them.
Marisa and the Moths definitely didn’t disappoint. Marisa’s vocal range was exceptional, and the band played in a way that was cohesive and entertaining from start to finish. Marisa completely took control of the stage and dominated the performance, which – as a woman – I love to see.
Dressed the part in a gothic black set paired with boots and fishnets, she seemed no stranger to the stage and impressed everyone with her powerful vocals that she maintained effortlessly throughout the show. Despite her captivating energy, she still gave credit to her band members, and they joked together on stage and spoke to the crowd often.
The band moved onto performing as solo acts midway through the show, too, which I thought was a great way to switch things up as well as showcasing the individual talent amongst the band. Liam (Barnes) performed a country number, which he wrote during lockdown. “This is probably a good time to go to the bar” he teased, noting that not many people enjoy country music, even though he himself is a big fan. As someone who doesn’t love country music, I really did enjoy Liam’s solo “Porch”, and I especially liked the switch up from modern-grunge to country – I can’t really say that that’s something I have ever experienced nor was I expecting. The only giveaway that the show could’ve taken that kind of turn was Liam’s outfit.
After Liam’s solo, Marisa came on stage and gave a heartfelt acoustic performance. Tearing up before starting, she mentioned that it was her band member Liam who had encouraged her to release this song – and it was a very moving moment, one that I am glad she felt she could share with her fans. The song was about feeling like you don’t fit in, and Marisa reassured the crowd that it’s the weird and wonderful parts of yourself that make you so unique and nobody should feel shamed about sharing these parts of themselves. She also mentioned her own struggles of feeling like she never fit in, and it was very inspiring to see how she had used these struggles to motivate her music career and showcasing just how talented she is, especially in a male-dominated field.
Marisa also touched on other important themes with her song ‘Gaslight’, which was a song about being with someone toxic and abusive. Their music was definitely introspective – and their ability to switch things up between heavy grunge and emotive lyrics was very impressive.
Marisa and The Moths continually engaged with the crowd, which is something I always admire, and they were brutally up front and honest about their experiences, the meaning behind the songs and their experiences as individuals as well as their shared experiences.
At one point, Liam even came into the crowd to have a dance with the audience, managed to lose a battery, and then found it again before returning to the stage to carry on with the show.
There were also people in the crowd handing out glowsticks and lighting up the room with nostalgic, neon
tubes. As I mentioned, their performance was one that really stood out for me. They switched things up throughout the whole set and didn’t falter; playing songs from their debut album (which won rock album of the year) as well as newer releases.
I’m definitely glad to have discovered Marisa and the Moths. The band, although jovial and upbeat, managed to get some powerful tracks in their set, and Marisa really showcased her talent with both performing and songwriting. If you’re a fan of Paramore, Evanescence, Alter Bridge, Foo Fighters or Soundgarden – give the band a listen – you can definitely hear the inspiration behind their music.
Photography by Jazz Jennings.
Marisa and The Moths’ tour continues through to the end of July. Tickets: https://www.marisaandthemoths.com/tour
