Monday, 15 April 2024

A View From The Back Of The Room: Esoterica (Live Review By James Jackson)

Esoterica & Scarlett Riot, The Asylum, Birmingham 11.04.24

It’s early doors at The Asylum, for as I walk in at just gone half past Seven, opening act Skarlett Riot (10) are already in full swing. I know absolutely nothing about the band, a search online post gig gives me a few answers, the band are from Scunthorpe, fall into the Alt Metal/Melodic Metalcore genre and have a blend of female/male vocals. 

Lead vocalist Chloe Drinkwater holds the audience captive and leads us through tracks from their back catalogue and recent release Lullaby. A promising start to the evening, they leave the stage, expressing their gratitude to us for our attendance and the offer to meet them at the merch booth.

I last saw Esoterica (10) supporting Lord of the Lost, the third attempt at getting to see them live, the moment that this headline tour was announced, I had to buy tickets. Breaking The Unknown from 2020’s In Dreams album opens the show to rapturous applause from eager fans that have ventured into Birmingham on a Thursday night. The setlist consists of a mixture of songs from the bands albums, a few new tracks are thrown in to great effect, Tobias Keast a captivating frontman, whose barefoot antics raise a smile from guitarist Laura Conway.

In Dreams is a great song on a great album, but live this song takes on a whole new level as Tobias invites a woman, previously sat in the wings, to take centre stage, as she does so, the song begins and Tobias takes to the audience, greeting fans, his vocal performance unhindered by the hugs and photo ops, while up on stage surrounded by the rest of the band, the lyrics are being interpreted by the aforementioned woman - through sign language.

Balloons fall from the rafters and confetti cannons are used, adding a playful touch to the atmosphere, the obligatory encore is played out, the band leave the stage to further applause, leaving Tobias standing alone and with an open heart, thanking us for our support.

A great performance from both bands, a few surprises and yes, I made the most of that photo op and bought the T shirt; Esoterica have fulfilled and exceeded my expectations, but have also got me thinking - can I make it to Bristol on Tuesday to catch them again?

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