Warmduscher / Lazarus Kane, Chalk Brighton, 8th November 2019

As intro music goes, Welcome to the Jungle is up there as a bold choice and as the opening riffs kick in, Lazarus Kane hits the stage at Chalk, Brighton’s newest venue risen from the ashes of The Haunt. With an immediate crowd reaction, and it’s a big crowd, it’s obvious that there’s a lot of anticipation for the support act tonight. Having recently released the mesmeric Narcissus through Speedy Wunderground, it’s a pleasure to see its live incarnation along with a set full of equally high calibre material.

With discernible nods to Talking Heads, New Order and a spoken drawl straight from Larry Hagman’s finishing school, the Lazarus Kane ‘family’ keep energy levels high with bouncing synths, guitars and drum machines. It’s a powerful performance and it surely won’t be long before they’re taking the headline spot on bigger stages; I’m very much looking forward to seeing what comes next. For now, they leave us with a sound recommendation, ”Who’s excited for Warmduscher? They got the slickest tunes and the slickest trousers I ever saw!” And you can’t say fairer than that. 

Warmduscher do indeed bring an array of slick trousers and with them a huge set of  tunes blending post punk and pulsating electro sleaze. Heading straight into Big Wilma, the party atmosphere starts and doesn’t let up for the next hour. Bringing their atypical new album Tainted Lunch on tour, the tracks are received with the reverence of old favourites with highlights in Midnight Dipper, Grape Face and the wonderfully titled Disco Peanuts. And there are some actual old favourites interspersed throughout the setlist too; the mix of thumping bass, rap and soul laden backing vocals of Standing on the Corner hard to beat.

Crossing over genres the way they do, it’s hard to define Warmduscher’s sound or style. In reality, all you need to know is that this is a band that have plucked the best elements of their past musical forays and melded them into a force of nature to be reckoned with. It’s less dirty dancing, more filthy disco – let’s hope there’s more to come. I’m always wary of slinging around the ‘gig of the year’ accolade but with these two acts in one night, this has to be a serious contender.

A double recommendation – click through for more from Warmduscher and Lazarus Kane

Words and photos by Siobhan

11th November 2019