Gig: Haunt the Woods @ The Louisiana, Bristol
Haunt the Woods
Sunday night we were treated to an evening with one of our favourite bands, Haunt the Woods, at Bristol’s historic The Louisiana. Accompanied by the resonant melodies of Jamie Yost, the atmosphere of the tightly packed upstairs venue crackled with anticipation as fans eagerly awaited this excellent band.
Jamie Yost
Kicking off the evening was Jamie Yost, whose choice as the opener seamlessly complements Haunt the Wood’s style. Despite the absence of a drummer due to illness, Yost and his band delivered a hyponic performance, effortlessly blending old favourites with fresh tracks from his latest EP, This Is Home.
From the poignant strains of the title track to the haunting beauty of "Eden" and the soulful “Storm”, the band maintained Yost’s signature sound.
Haunt the Woods
Squeezing their way through a silent, awestruck crowd, Haunt the Woods took the stage. Comfortably launching into their opening tracks - “Fever Dream”, “Gold” and “Save Me” - our first moments with the band echo the first movement of their sophomore album Ubiquity, released last fall.
Throughout their performance, the audience was utterly captivated, their attention held in fascination from the first chord to the final note. Drawing from new tracks with a sprinkling of older fan favourites, the band treated fans to a selection of mesmerising tracks including a breathtaking acapella rendition of "Sleepwalking" showcasing their collective versatility and vocal skill.
Unlike typical gigs where bodies might sway and dance, this was a different kind of engagement. Speaking with members of the band afterward, it was clear they understood their music's unique power to elicit a more contemplative response, fostering an environment of thoughtful listening rather than frenetic movement.
I couldn't help but notice how the audience inched closer and closer to the stage, drawn in by the magnetic pull of the band's sound and energy. It was an all-encompassing and captivating experience; the band's prowess and musicianship shone through brilliantly. Special praise has to go to guitarist Phoenix Elleschild who, despite a recently broken foot and performing seated, played some of his best, face-melting solos.
Despite the familiar tunes, Haunt the Woods' performance felt refreshingly dynamic, with a fuller, more robust sound than we’ve previously experienced from the foursome. Each note enveloped the room, from distinctive intricate layers of powerful choruses and soaring crescendos to their softest moments and most introspective lyrics. From questioning to longing and wonder, their music continues to be a poignant exploration of the human experience.
As their spring tour comes to a close, there’s still a few dates remaining to catch Haunt the Woods live:
2 May at St Pancras Old Church, London
3 May at Gullivers, Manchester
4 May at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
They've also hinted at something special in the works, so keep an eye on this space for upcoming news
