LIVE REVIEW: Dream State @ The Garage, London

As the temperatures (finally) start to drop, tonight The Garage plays host to a trio of the alternative scene’s fastest rising bands in DREAM STATE, REDHOOK and HELL HOTEL. 

Openers HELL HOTEL have a mere trio of singles to their name, all released this year; the on-record duo expand to a live four piece, but they’re contending with a relatively sparse crowd and the occasional short screech of feedback initially that isn’t the best start for such a new band. There’s a scrappy quality to their post hardcore that’s not there on record but one that very much helps them, guitarist Tom Marfield’s blurring the line with screamo while vocalist Demi Jay offers melodic counterpoints. Though they’re more polished on record, it’s refreshing to get this rawer sound from them, and it even suits a spiky cover of SUGABABES’ About You Now. Playing an as-yet unreleased song is always a gamble as an opener, but the unnamed one they run through tonight has mammoth hooks and even a tasteful guitar solo, offering a tantalising glimpse of where HELL HOTEL could be headed that gets a huge reception. Certainly ones to be looking out for in the future. 

Rating: 8/10

REDHOOK are here all the way from Australia for this tour, their first time since a raucous performance at last year’s Download and right ahead of their second album Mutation. Unfortunately, vocalist Emmy Mack is extremely unwell as she posts ahead of the show, but they’re not a band to back away from the challenge. As they charge into the opening Pyromaniac there’s no sign of any throat ailments, Mack tearing through its screams and powerhouse chorus with ease. Ricocheting round the stage with a hand puppet on, it’s classic, wacky REDHOOK already.

Guitarist and bassist Craig Wilkinson and Ned Jankovic help instigate bouncing mayhem for Off With Your Head while Kamikaze is dedicated to a diehard who’s driven five hours to be in the crowd tonight. They’ve got a dedicated fanbase here already, their often personal songs tackling themes from Mack being a victim of sexual assault (Jabberwocky has a very heartfelt moment as the crowd alone sing its final lines) to mental health and imposter syndrome, and tonight is a potent reminder of why people are flocking to their openly weird, therapeutic banner. 

Rating: 8/10

It’s been a few years since their rebirth, and in that time DREAM STATE have quashed every doubt about their continuing with a new lineup, packing out bigger and bigger venues culminating in tonight’s show at The Garage, and one of their biggest ever headline shows to date. Kicking off with latest single Bloom there’s an unfortunate hitch as the guitar and vocals are a little too low in the mix but it’s not enough to stop the crowd going ballistic.

Comfort In Chaos throws it back to their first post-pandemic output with hands in the air for its gritty chorus. Jessie Powell continues to cement herself as a brilliant frontwoman, orchestrating pits, dancing and singalongs all the while looking effortlessly cool and like she’s born to do this. Open Windows goes just as hard as it ever has, the pit bouncing to its emotionally fraught, skyscraper chorus, while Chin Up Princess carries on their proud tradition of mammoth hooks that their fans go nuts for live. Fortunately, the EDM beat opening Anxious State Of Mind isn’t lost and the dance metalcore anthem becomes a highlight of the set with its propulsive drumming and towering refrain.

It’s a shame the mix isn’t on their side at various points tonight, slightly dampening what should be a triumph at one of their largest ever headline shows (so far). That said, the fact they’ve ascended to these heights and continue to climb without a label or manager is testsment to not only their commitment and determination but the strong community of Dreamers they’ve fostered on- and offline, who greet them with open arms and loud, uplifting voices. Tonight just further underscores that despite all life’s setbacks, DREAM STATE are very much here to stay, and still dreaming.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in London from Anne Pfalzgraf here: 

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