Live Review: Hawxx – Satan's Hollow, Manchester
2nd March 2024
Support: Bex
Words & Photos: Julian Tanner
This was my third visit to Satans Hollow to see a band embarking on their first headline tour, each time the show hasn’t been sold out, with the other two having been on week nights, and this show competing with least twenty six other shows in Manchester that evening possibly being the reasons.
Satans Hollow is certainly a unique venue, from the fantastic gothic decor to the circular stage in the middle of the venue which gives gig goers a 360° view of the performing bands, it should definitely be on your must visit venue list.
First on to the stage this evening is BEX, a punk rocker who wants the music to speak again, with hard hitting riffs and feminist lyrics, and influences from Paramore, The Pretty Reckless and Rage Against The Machine can be heard throughout the set. A fabulous up-cycled outfit is joined by at times by an equally fabulous bass guitar and one of the biggest bass pedal rigs I’ve ever seen. With debut EP 'Scum' out last October and recent tour support slots with the likes of St Agnes, Wargasm and Witch Fever, 2024 is shaping up to be a good year. The energetic, punchy set is over all too quickly, hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to see BEX again soon in another support slot.
I’ve been following Hawxx for a few years now, this was my fourth time catching them live. Writing songs about oppressive beauty standards, mental health struggles, violence against women, the unfolding ecological catastrophe amongst other causes, Hawxx are a feminist band with the aim of being a part of changing the landscape of the rock and metal world and want their gigs to be a collective experience of love and rage, holding women and queer people at the center.
The release of 'Earth, Spit, Blood and Bones' last November sees the multi-national quartet out on the road for their first headline tour. Within minutes of the start of the set you can see why Anna and Hannah made a list of “13 metal guitarists that will change the world” last year. Whether on record or in a live setting Jess on drums is always on point and delivers another impeccable set.
Julia on bass joined the band after previous bassist Iman left to pursue a solo career. Having left some pretty big boots to fill, Julia simply picked them up, strapped them on and fits in perfectly as her incredible bass sound fills the venue. The superb musicianship of the band is accompanied by Anna’s fierce vocals, with backing support from all of the other three at differing times, as well as coming altogether for some hauntingly beautiful harmonies. Another excellent set comes to an end and I’m looking forward to watching this band return and grow into the bigger venues across the city.
Photo credits: Julian Tanner
