LIVE REVIEW: As Everything Unfolds @ The Exchange, Bristol

If you need an indication of the vibrancy of the British alternative music scene, you need look no further than this sold-out Thursday night gig for AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS at Bristol’s independent venue The Exchange. On the lineup tonight are three female-fronted bands ranging from metalcore to powerpop, all bringing the confidence of bands at least thrice their size.

First up is DARLAH, an alt-rock four-piece bringing melodies and riffs in spades. Frontwoman DANNI HICKS‘ powerful clean vocals, occasionally interspersed with screams from the bassist bring to mind the best moments of EVANESCENCE – a comparison that feels all the more apt when the band busts out a stunning cover of Bring Me To Life. While DARLAH don’t have the most distinctive sound on tonight’s lineup, they’re performance is impressive for a band still in its infancy.

Rating: 7/10

SOUTH ARCADE bring pop hooks and oodles of energy to their set, rattling through bangers like New Fever and the pointed Nepo Baby. Harmony Cavell‘s high-pitched vocals are perfect for the Oxford quartet’s brand of snot-nosed pop-punk, and the frontwoman has stage presence to spare. They even throw in a cover of KATY PERRY‘s I Kissed A Girl, lending this pop classic a harder edge. Unaware is the highlight of the set, bringing PALE WAVES-esque melodies to the forefront with its infectiously catchy chorus. These rising stars are certainly one to watch.

Rating: 8/10

Anyone who’s had the pleasure of seeing AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS performing in support of ELECTRIC CALLBOY or on numerous festival appearances will know that the High Wycombe metalcore mob never fails to impress. Their headline set in this intimate venue sees the six-piece rise to new heights with a set packed with cuts from their excellent sophomore album Ultraviolet.

The band emerges to the electronic intro of Slow Down before frontwoman Charlie Rolfe begins to mesmerise the crowd with impressively diverse vocals and electric charisma. It doesn’t take long for a mosh pit to form, soon spinning in circles at Rolfe‘s command. 

The band wastes little time between songs, stopping to ensure the crowd is hanging in there, before demanding a bigger pit for the next song. Speaking of which, the nu-metal-influenced Flip Side incites the biggest reaction from the moshers, descending into utter chaos during its crushing breakdown. Their flair for melody is put on full display with All I’ve Ever Known, Ultraviolet‘s closer, which shines with melodic fretwork and soaring vocals.

AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS re-emerge for a two-song encore, starting with the anthemic Felt Like Home, which has every voice raised for the refrain of “oh, it’s only ever felt like home to me.” The electronica-flavored banger On The Inside is the perfect closer, getting the crowd jumping from front to back.

With their strong catalogue of heavy tunes and their enviable energy, it seems only a matter of time before AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS truly breaks into the mainstream. For now, we can enjoy fabulous performances like this one any chance we can get.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Serena Hill Photography here:

Like AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS on Facebook.