LIVE REVIEW: Knuckle Puck @ The Fleece, Bristol

Bristol’s pop-punk kids are in for a treat this Tuesday night, as indie venue The Fleece hosts US emo superstars KNUCKLE PUCK. Having recently released their fourth full-length effort Losing What We Love, fans of this Chicago five-piece have been eagerly anticipating their return the UK, and it shows with a strong turnout for this weeknight show.

First, it’s the turn of German quartet SHORELINE to get the crowd warmed up with their post-hardcore stylings. Mixing tender, introspective lyrics with aggression and melody, the quartet offer a potent concoction. The group are positively fired up, with energy more than capable of winning over some new fans. The lead single from their latest album, To Figure Out, Darius is a standout, with the delicate refrain of “what if it works out? What if it works out?” giving way to gnarly screams. Bent / Broken closes the set out with bang, as melodic guitars lead the way in a spirited emo anthem.

Rating: 8/10

Having never quite reached the heights of their pop-punk peers in THE STORY SO FAR and NECK DEEP (who they are supporting at Alexandra Palace on this UK visit), KNUCKLE PUCK have retained a likeable humbleness throughout their career. As such, the Chicago quintet are greeted like old friends as they take to the stage, with their warm smiles reflecting their audiences’ adoration.

Without wasting any time, the band kick into some new material – The Tower. This single acts as mission statement for the band combining vulnerable lyricism with empowering instrumentation. It’s a great opener, but the audience response pales in comparison to No Good, who’s opening cry of “where’s your respect” raises every voice in the place.

Tune You Out is another highlight, as is Double Helix, both of which get feet moving up front. It’s to be expected, but there is a discrepancy in reception between the newer material and the old classics. Perhaps the band’s lack of sonic growth from album to album has stifled the growth of their audience too, with only the die-hards singing back the newer lyrics as loudly as the pre-2020 material.

That’s not to say that the tracks from Losing What We Love are bad, though. In fact, Groundhog Day is a gentler moment in the set that incites a huge singalong. Vocalist Joe Taylor shines on this song, engaging the crowd with charisma befitting the best emo frontmen.

The set closes with two of the band’s most beloved tracks – Untitled and Pretense. The latter is arguably the band’s best song to date, instilled with all the potency of fresh heartbreak and shot through with bitter angst. The pit goes off for this one, with stage dives abound and the most passionate singalong of the night.

KNUCKLE PUCK returns to the stage for an encore, performing fan favourite deep cut Fences, from a 2014 split EP. As one of their fastest, most hook-laden songs, it’s the perfect closer for tonight’s attendees to get in some last-minute moshing.

Rating: 8/10

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

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