TV Priests, Yes (Basement), 29th October 2021

I’ve been in Yes’ Basement tons of times, tonight I managed to bag myself a space on the coveted bench that runs down the side of the room. That’s not what makes this evening great, that accolade goes to TV Priests. Who once they take the stage bring me to instantly give up my creature comforts to bounce my head around at the front of the stage. I last saw this lot playing a set in Gorilla in the early hours of the morning. They were great that night, but I’m definitely more awake this time. TV Priest bang out groove laden post punk, the band a raw purring engine for singer Charlie to stalk the tiny stage like a cross between Morrison, Rollins and Smith… in a cap. A more contemporary reference might be IDLES, but sexier. They sound like a juggernaut taking a nosedive into an ACME factory and even the calmer moments deliver a menacing beauty. There’s a splurge of post punk bands around at the moment, a lot of them great, but plenty who just think it’s about being loud and nihilistic. TV Priests get it though, these songs have depth, both lyrically and certainly musically. There’s a lot going on behind the motorik rhythms. Signed to SubPop they feel more than capable of carrying the weight of expectation that label brings. There’s a girl wearing a gorgeous knitted SubPop jumper, I’ve no idea if she’s connected or just wearing the top, but I lose her in the crowd before I can ask her where she got the knitwear, I need it. I’ll have to settle for just watching a great band. Worthy of giving up all your comforts for.