Fresh off the release of their new album Are We All Angels in April—their debut for Dead Oceans—I had a strong feeling this tour would be a big one. Scowl recently made their first appearance on US late night television, a move that’s sure to introduce them to an even broader audience. Although this was my first time catching them live, I’d been listening to them for months leading up to the show and was already well-acquainted with How Flowers Grow and the Psychic Dance Routine EP from 2023. Scowl have been expanding beyond their hardcore roots for a while now, showing a clear ambition to evolve, and hopefully bringing their fans along with them. I was excited to hear how their newer, more melodic material would sit alongside the raw intensity of their earlier songs.
Main support on the night came from California’s Modern Color, who are along for the full 18-date run with Scowl across the UK and EU. Leeds’ Bodyweb are also jumping on for three shows, including stops in Glasgow, Bristol and London. I’d looked forward to catching all the bands at Thekla, the much-loved venue moored at Bristol’s Mud Dock. It’s also worth noting that Thekla celebrated its 41st birthday recently, a great achievement considering the struggle grass roots venues have been going through.
Bodyweb opened the evening as the venue continued to fill, encouraging the crowd to move forward early in the set. They noted that Bristol had been the highlight of their last tour, clearly hoping to recapture that energy. Blending modern metalcore with nu-metal influences, their sound translated well live, standing out as the only act of the night to incorporate electronic elements. As the set progressed, a space opened up in front of the stage, with several audience members two-stepping and windmilling by the second or third track. Their seven-song set flew by, closing with Judas from their debut release Train Wreck Simulation. With renewed interest in early-2000s nu-metal, Bodyweb seem well-positioned to draw increased attention from a broader audience.
Modern Color’s recorded material hadn’t quite prepared me for the sheer intensity of their live performance. Backed by a great rhythm section and a dual Jazzmaster guitar attack, the band delivered a powerful, emotionally charged set, with vocalist Fleming’s voice cutting through the mix with clarity and force. Though their set ran just nine songs, the energy in the room suggested the crowd would’ve gladly stayed for more. They noted the novelty of playing on a boat, a common sentiment among acts performing at Thekla as one of the more unique venues on the touring circuit. While there was no official word on a sell-out, the venue, with its 400-capacity, felt full; the balcony and floor were packed as the band opened with Dancing Waters Club, Empty Rooms, and Fortress, drawing confidently from across their catalogue. A special mention must go to guitarist Chad, whose technical ability and melodic instincts stood out. His playing was a frequent topic of conversation post-show. Modern Color closed their set with Alone and Pale, capping off their performance.
By the time Scowl were ready to take the stage, the crowd had packed in tightly, pushing forward in anticipation as the lights dipped. Opening with Wired, the band launched into their set with full force. It didn’t take long for a circle pit to break out behind me. They followed up with Fantasy and Shot Down from their Psychic Dance Routine EP, with the older material seamlessly blending into their evolving sound. The crowd met the newer tracks with just as much enthusiasm, proving how well the band’s shift toward melody has been received. There was a strong sense of joy coming from the stage, with frontperson Kat Moss clearly feeding off the crowd’s energy. Her boundless presence—dancing nonstop and leaning into the crowd with a grin—powered the entire 15-song set. Standouts like Tonight (I’m Afraid) and Not Hell, Not Heaven sounded massive within the confines of Thekla’s hull. It was one of the most animated crowds I’ve seen in a while, with a steady stream of stage dives reminiscent of catching Gel in a tiny club last year. With songs this strong and a live show to match, it’s hard to imagine any ceiling on Scowl’s potential. They wrapped up the night with a fierce encore of Retail Hell, closing out a blistering set that made good on all the anticipation.
Words and photos by Ross Peacey (Instagram)
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