Live Review: Creeper - The Roundhouse, London
4th November 2022
Support: Bad Nerves, Zetra
Words & Photos: Rebecca Bush
It’s a gloomy November evening and all the goths and creeps have come out for a very special show indeed! A one off sold out show from Southampton Horror Punks Creeper and you know when it's a one off show there's bound to be something brewing!
There are three bands on tonight's line up first of whom are London duo Zetra. A band shrouded in mystery their gothic synth and driving guitars hypnotize and enthrall. Complete with contemporary dancers draped in red garb who help to set the tone before the pair take to the stage. It's a very mesmerizing performance and the audience seem to really respond to their brand of dark and brooding new nostalgia. I love that music can be simultaneously retro and fresh , it's like listening to your favourite goth band from the 80's re imagined and given a new lease of life. Mix with that the theatrics of props such as static tv screens and microphones draped in heavy chains and you've got yourself a heady mix and a very enjoyable show! The enigmatic nature of the band means that you are solely drawn to what you are presented without any pre conceived notions of what's to come and they definitely had a positive response - a great starter for the night ahead.
Second up tonight are proper guitar rockers Bad Nerves. If we are going retro and 80s tonight we are now firmly in punk territory. This is all out rock , no bells or whistles just guitars and adrenaline. Every song is fast paced and infectious and the crowd is a sea of carefree joyous faces just living in the moment. Front man Bobby Nerves looks every bit the part in shades and sharp suit and there are plenty of jumping antics from the rest of the band , punk rock at its finest. They certainly make the most of their time on stage blasting through an impressive set list of ten songs that are full of catchy melodies effortless riffs and lots of unadulterated fun. This crowd is now well and truly hyped up - a job well done indeed.
Our headliners tonight have been on a steady rise for the last few years and gathering a devoted fan base and expanding it with every show. Tonight feels like it is for the devotees , a glorious celebration with a killer set list celebrating an already stellar catalogue of favourites including Cyanide, Thorns of Love , Annabelle, Hiding With Boys and Be My End to name but a few!! The latter saw the theatrics hit new heights with the addition of pyro and not for the first time this evening, the ever charasmatic front man Will Ghould taking it all in his stride and looking very at home as he bounds around the stage the sea of raised arms in front of him never faltering and every voice in the room united in just pure joy. There are also excitingly a couple of live firsts , Will takes a moment to express that he was unsure about performing the first 'All My Friends' it was a beautiful and poignant moment the entire room was united and as he took a breath to regroup and wipe the tears from his eyes just before the final lyric there were cheers of support and solidarity.
The band have a wonderful chemistry which is illustrated further when Keyboard player and backing singer comes forward and takes center stage for 'Midnight' , Ghosts Over Calvery and Solo number Crickets show casing her impressive vocal range further , it’s a really great dynamic and I love that her and Will bring that added chemistry to the show. As the show comes to a close Will thanks friends, family and the family of fans gathered tonight for being here and dedicates final song 'Misery' to everyone and as before voices sing back every word in adoration, but wait - as the band say their goodbyes and depart and the cheers die down Will remains - seemingly to take a moment to reflect and take it all in one last time until a dark figure appears …. Nosferatu!! In one swift moment Will is taken down by the pointy eared Vamp and when it reappears bloody faced, Wills head is in its hands raised in the air in victory like a trophy!! As new era announcements go it gets top marks for shock value, I mean a new era is very exciting but how will our beloved front man perform without a head!!!
As the vampire runs from the stage leaving the severed head behind a trailer plays on the big screen announcing the bands signing to Spinefarm records and a new single drop 'Ghost Brigade' and to celebrate its release further 666 numbererd cassete tapes were handed out to the crowd as they left. The anticipation of all the new things to come from Creeper is palpable - an absolutely perfect night!!!
Photo credits: Rebecca Bush
