Live Review: Mimi Barks - Nottingham : The Razor's Edge

Live Review: Mimi Barks - Bodega, Nottingham
Support: Raven Gray
12th October 2024
Words & Photos: Nic Howells

Nottingham was in for a quiet, damp Sunday evening until the Bodega opened its doors for the final night of Mimi Barks UK doom trap tour. England’s early autumn darkness set the perfect tone for a lineup featuring Raven Gray and Mimi. The screen behind the stage shifted from future listings to the backdrop for our opener.

Raven Gray took the stage first. Of all the acts that have played the Bodega this year, Raven stood out for their theatricality. Dressed in a long, sheer skirt, and a jacket made of black feathers, they embodied their namesake. This was their first time performing outside the U.S., and some in the crowd had clearly waited years to see them live. But Raven was in for a rough night—they had lost their voice.

Between songs, it was clear how hoarse they were, sometimes even needing a member of the crew to speak for them. Despite this, Raven pushed through, leaning heavily on newer tracks like “Digital Babylon,” “A Splinter in Soft Skin,” and an impressive cover of “Sweet Dreams. Even with vocal struggles, they found ways to make it work, the hoarseness adding texture to songs like “Tandems in the Sky” and “Fever Dream.” Lesser performers might have canceled, but Raven gave it their all and teased a return to Europe soon.

By 9:30, more faces filled the Bodega as the crowd eagerly awaited Mimi Barks. She opened with "Klingen & Stitches," a classic from her catalogue, followed quickly by “Mad Hoe.” It was clear from the start that this would be a night of raw, unfiltered chaos. Mimi’s initial appearance in a hoodie and baggy trousers suggested a more trap-leaning performance, but soon the hoodie was shed for her signature chain-based attire and the iconic mane of hair constantly whipping in the air.

Her setlist so far was a journey through time, blasting through songs like “Grind” from 2021, “SAW” and “RAD” from 2022’s DEADGIRL, and back to her first EP with “Sonic.” The crowd was so caught up in the energy that it took seven songs
before anything from her new album, THIS IS DOOM TRAP, made an appearance.

When the new tracks did show up, they hit hard. “FADED” and “MONTANA” lifted the room, showing off Mimi’s growth as a performer. After these came fan favorite “10.steps.back,” reminding everyone just how far she’s come since DEADGIRL. The transitions between tracks were seamless, with Mimi and her live crew deserving full credit for their tight execution. By this point, she had already hammered through 10 songs, including “SILENT
TEARS,” “BACK OFF,” and “ERROR,” the track that first introduced many to her during the pandemic.

For anyone worried the set was light on new material, the second half was packed with it. “CARDIAC” showcased Mimi’s ability to switch styles mid-song, blending ambient sounds with a crowd-pumping energy. Slower tracks like “HOUSE FULL OF FAKES,” “BANSHEE,” and “FINAL DESTINATION” showed Mimi’s intensity on stage. “HOUSE FULL OF FAKES” has already been recognized as one of her best-performing singles, but “FINAL DESTINATION” stood out as the hidden gem, shining especially bright when performed live.

The set wrapped up on a high note with “SUICIDE,” Mimi’s most popular track, and “DISGUSTED,” both long, hard-hitting pieces. Raven Gray returned for their joint track “WORMGIRL,” with Mimi charging into the pit and Raven delivering powerful vocals.
Together, they created an electric atmosphere, trading off before Mimi closed the night with “Big Ass Chains.” As the guitar roared through the speakers, Mimi climbed down from the stage, urging everyone to crouch before jumping as the beat dropped—ending the set on a high note. With the final notes of "Chains" ringing out, Mimi thanked the crowd for their energy and attention. It was the last night of the tour, but both she and Raven left the stage with the feeling that they’d accomplished something special.