LIVE REVIEW: The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die @ Strange Brew, Bristol

After a sharp heel turn into a darker and heavier sound, Midwest emo mainstays THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE have returned to the UK. The vibes are immaculate at Bristol’s left-field venue Strange Brew, but how will TWIABP’s biting new sound resonate with those in attendance tonight?

Kicking off proceedings is CHURCH OF THE RAT, a UK hardcore punk outfit with bags of attitude and swagger. While their metal-influenced punk might not be the perfect fit for TWIABP’s fanbase, they manage to win over plenty of new fans with their infectious energy and accessible riffs. A song dedicated to Luigi Mangione receives the biggest reaction of the night, helped by some energetic crowdwork from the band’s frontman.

Rating: 7/10

THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE are a fearless band, for better or worse. Throughout their 15-year career, the band has been apologetically themselves. Hell, to roll with such a cumbersome band name is brave in itself, but like their music, beauty lies within the effort required to digest it. David Bello’s unpolished vocals are achingly vulnerable, and his lyrics are unafraid to broach difficult topics. The winding guitar lines are challenging in their journeys, but infinitely rewarding for those who really listen. The sound they’ve become known for – introspective emo with shades of indie and post-rock and bouncy synths that hint towards 2000s pop-punk – was perfected on 2021’s Illusory Walls. Leading the band to their bravest sonic shift yet on their latest album Dreams of Being Dust.

Many fans were left shocked and perplexed by the sudden turn to abrasive post-hardcore on this experimental project, but those who’ve been paying attention will know that this turn has been brewing for a while. As outspoken leftists, it’s easy to see why the grim state of our planet – most notably the US’ slide into xenophobic fascism under a wannabe dictator – pushed the group to make their angriest, darkest record yet, full of screeching guitars, fiery lyrics and even blastbeats. It’s dark music for dark times. 

Still, it’s not hard to see why fans who fell in love with TWIABP’s jangly indie-emo tunes wouldn’t show up for this jagged new sound. Admittedly, it’s a school night, but the crowd tonight is noticeably sparse, consisting only of the hardcore fans. Once TWIABP take the stage, however, it feels a privilege to be part of this elite group, as what follows is a bruising set from a group of polished musicians that can apply their talents to any genre.

For this UK run, THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE have decided to dedicate their set to performing the new record almost in its entirety, with only a couple of nods to their back catalogue. It’s a bold choice, but a logical one, as the heavier material flows together with mastery. Lead single Beware The Centrist elicits a huge reaction, getting the first few audience members off their feet.

Highlights of the set include January 10th, 2014, a shimmering ballad about vigilante justice and its spiritual successor, December 4th, 2024, an indictment of the American healthcare system (and tonight’s second Luigi Mangione reference). While TWIABP don’t have the stage presence of your typical post-hardcore band, their riffs still inspire mosh pits and plenty of headbanging.

The set is brought to a close by another oldie – Heartbeat in the Brain. Although this is one of the band’s softer songs, its triumphant closing breakdown inspires the biggest reaction of the night – helped in no small part by a heavier arrangement from TWIABP.

Overall, it’s a strangely subdued night for a band playing such kinetic music. But despite being down a guitarist, THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE deliver a tight and electrifying set that satisfies the Bristol faithful.

Rating: 7/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Rowan Bruce here:

Like THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE on Facebook.