Lowertown’s stop in Bristol on their UK tour certainly made Sunday night at the Exchange one to remember. With a grungy, energetic atmosphere, a varied setlist, and a supporting act from Sarah Meth, Lowertown performed a set that any indie rock fan would enjoy.
Admittedly, I didn’t know much about the band before heading to the gig; having heard one or two of their songs I thought they would perform well and be enjoyable to listen to. They exceeded my expectations in every way. The gig began with a slow and lyrical pre-act performed by Sarah Meth. She played solo with just her guitar for company, her songs reflecting artists like Indigo de Souza and Phoebe Bridgers. Meth held the room incredibly well, and I quite liked the choice to pair a slower, more melancholic act with the more upbeat setlist that Lowertown performed. Although the band’s melodies are often light and fun, Lowertown’s lyricism is sometimes quite sad. Meth’s focus on her own lyricism highlighted the importance of this aspect of music, and allowed the audience to remain focused on it throughout the subsequent set. Sarah Meth’s debut album is out soon, and I would definitely say it’s one to look out for.
The band emerged at 9pm onto a smoky stage. They kicked off the set with hit ‘Worst Friend’ which sets the energetic tone for the night. Consisting of friends Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg, Lowertown formed in Atlanta’s underground scene in 2018, releasing their first EP Honeycomb Bedbug in 2021. Since then, their fanbase has steadily grown, and they’ve supported artists such as Beabadoobee and Wednesday throughout world tours. The fans that attended on Sunday night were definitely dedicated, mosh pits began forming almost as soon as the first song had begun.
After ‘Worst Friends’, the song ‘Scum’ was played, further adding to the crowd’s energy. The gig was very busy, probably one of the busiest ones I’ve seen at the Exchange. However, I think the venue really suited the bands performance style, creating a grungy and intimate atmosphere throughout. The outfits and backdrop that the band played with also added to this atmosphere, Olivia wore a hat and a ripped black dress, whilst Avsha wore a jacket from their merch collection. The eclectic aesthetic reflected the music videos they release, and visuals of their album covers. I enjoyed how they managed to carry this into their live show, and it solidified their presentation as an alternative indie band.
Towards the middle of the set, the song ‘(I Like to Play With) Mutts’ was played. During this particular track, Olivia walked off the stage into the crowd, who had cleared a path in the dancefloor in anticipation of this. This only added to the intimate nature of the gig.
What really surprised me was the respect that the audience displayed when the band was playing. Usually, a rowdy, energetic crowd will be rather enthusiastic when the volume dips, often calling out to the band playing in an attempt to be acknowledged. Despite the energetic pace of the set, when there were breaks in the songs the crowd would become silent, listening to every word the band spoke. This was especially apparent when Olivia pulled out the flute and played an instrumental, you could hear a pin drop. I think this really displays the dedication Lowertown fans have to the band and their music, which is even more apparent when realising most people had tiny harmonicas that were sold at the merch stand!
The song ‘Big Thumb’ was played and was probably my favourite of the night. The melody is discordant but upbeat, and reminiscent of Elliott Smith’s oeuvre. The harmonica that plays in the background not only displays the bands instrumental versatility, but also adds a depth to the song that the audience clearly resonated with – most people there knew every word. The set ended with ‘The Gaping Mouth’ and they left the stage having performed an incredibly enjoyable set.
Sunday night opened my eyes to more of Lowertown’s music, and I have definitely found one of my new favourite bands. Their newest album, Ugly Duckling Union, was released in May, and having listened to it in its entirety after the gig I would highly recommend checking it out.
Freya Grimley
