Witch Fever - Are so impressive live!!!

****1/2

Fever pitch in Birmingham

Witch Fever ****1/2 are the second band on supporting mega TikTok / YouTube sensation Poppy, and their is quite some anticipation for the bands performance. A member of our team recently covered Witch Fever in Manchester opening up for Cancer Bats, and really was impressed by the bands performance. The show is a big opportunity for Witch Fever to impress, to a different audience they have not played to before. And the Poppy fans have really embraced them, like they have loved them for years. There are a lot of Poppy fans wearing Witch Fever shirts, which shows that they have already impressed them at the two previous shows they have played in Bristol and London.

I personally read the review from the show we covered, and it made me want to check out... what could be one of the best new bands to come out of the UK in years. But question is, are they has good as my friend / team member said they are. And I have to say they are, they have an intensity of beyond their years. They play like a band that is ten albums in, not a band that have only had a couple of releases. They all really have a great connection with each other on stage, and a stage presence that oozes energy and presence. The band are signed to Sony's Music for Nations, a label that has always had real attitude. I rememeber having a tape as a child I really loved with Warrior Soul, Demolition 23 (Micheal Monroe of Hanoi Rocks) band and Apes, Pigs and Spacemen on it, and I have to say I played it so much I wore it out. So they are in a good place, at a label that will really know how to mould them in the right way.

The UK is really delivering some great female fronted bands at the moment from Pale Waves, Berries, The Kut, Cage Fight to now Witch Fever. You can see there are so really talented female vocalists out there, and I have to say personally I am not a big fan of female fronted acts. Saying this I do love Daisy Chainsaw, Queen Adreena, Dogbones, The Birthday Massacre, Human waste Project and the music of Emma Blackery, Claire Maguire and Kylie Minogue (Everyone loves Kylie). So their is a few I like, but they really have to have a great attitude and stage presence and Witch Fever have buckets of it. And after seeing them once, I already want to hear more.

I think with Witch Fever the music all comes natural, and this goes also to the way they move on stage. They already know how to use the stage, so as they burst into 'Blessed by Thy', they are already into a fluid motion of attack. Vocalist Amy Walpole might be small in height, but she is so big in personality and has an ora that is captivating as she makes every word she is singing count. I think she would not take any Sh*t from anyone, and this shows in her attitude onstage. As 'Beauty and Grace' kicks in, you realise it's not only Amy that has a great stage presence bassist Alex Thompson is also a strong figure onstage, that has a don't mess with me attitude, while at the same time inviting you into the bands performance with her movements. That get you also moving, and banging your head to the music.

My only critisim is that some of the songs blend into each other at times, and are similar in places. But this is something that will develope in time, and it didn't really make any dent in their live performance which really is spot on. The only reason I really noticed this is because, the first three songs seem to merge a little together. But this might be because I am enjoying what I am hearing and listening, because as I said before at the moment for me this is not really a problem that is a big deal. Guitarist Alisha Yarwood seems to give a Metal / Doom feel to the bands music, and is a little recluse. This gives a little mystery to the band, and I like the contrasts of the members. I think every person in Witch Fever, really has their own identity. And you don't find this in many bands these days, you do find it in classic bands that have gone on to do great things. I think it's a shame that drummer Annabelle Joyce is so far back, I think it would be better if she was more forward so we all can see her. Because she is doing some interesting things on the drum, and I like the way she delivers the beats.

Some of the highlights in the set are a really nice live rendition of 'I saw you Dancing', and versions of their ever popular songs 'Congregation' and 'Reincarnate'. Which are the last two songs, in their seven song set... that goes by way too fast. I would advise you to see Witch Fever as soon as you can in a small venue, because this band are going to be huge. And evolve over time, so it's a good chance to hear all their early songs live. They really made the show their own, and you really thought you had seen the headline act and not a support band. If I was a main act, I would be afraid to take Witch Fever on tour... because they know how to produce every time. They are a band that people will be talking about for years to come, and they really deserve it.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Witch Fever - Setlist
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Blessed be Thy
Beauty and Grace
Market
I saw you Dancing
Bully Boy
Congregation
Reincarnate

Check Out! the Video for 'Congregation' Below...