Split Lip Gig Review: Grassroots Alt-Rockers Make Their Bristol Debut

The GEAR Zine team have made our move to Bristol, and there’s no better way to get to know your community than (drumroll please…) a gig review! As it happens, grassroots music venue The Louisiana were hosting the perfect night to start our new journey — Split Lip, supporting Hunter Greensmith. Formed to be a ‘musical manifestation of [his] thoughts,’ Alex Stewart's solo project finally sought out Bristol this summer in a captivating performance. Readers may already know Alex from his work as a guitarist in Paper Crowns.

As I approached the venue (drink in hand) I knew what I was in for — a night of real indie sleaze, paired with raw lyricism and a bittersweet tone. And after the first track, I was delighted to find that I got exactly that. The first track to highlight is ‘I’m the shit,’ a song that sets a solemn tone to begin with. However, as the track progresses it becomes evident that, sometimes, you really do just need to tell yourself that you’re the shit — it’s relatable. The repetitive structure is important and brings a lighter mood to its progression. With catchy chords, and a timeless melody, this is not one to be slept on!

‘Split Lip literally came from [the time] I split my lip when I was younger’ – Frontman, Alex Hardy Stewart

Progressing through the set, it is obvious that a lot of thought and feeling go into Alex’s songs. After getting the chance to speak with him, he revealed that he’s an "introverted songwriter" and taking his songs from the bedroom to the stage "almost feels like starting from scratch." As an onlooker, I can say that this set was professional from both a performance and songwriting point of view.

The band’s closing number left an impression on me, to say the least. Introducing front-woman Phoebe from Nobody’s Dad, with an extremely catchy countermelody! With this melody, a ridiculously groovy bass hook, and a tantalising drum beat, the track provided an uplifting end to the set… and seriously I couldn't stop singing it!

Towards the end of the night, I wanted to get an idea of how Alex thought the gig went. Although he felt it had some technical flaws, as a self-described perfectionist, he was just glad that he had finally "knuckled down on the project's progression."

After this show, it is clear to me that Alex has a wider vision for this project. He aims to bring a meta modernist approach to the stage, like his inspiration Cameron Winter. Not only this but Alex is a visual artist who draws his inspiration from his love of films such as Radio On, and music videos such as Hey World by King Krule. Industrialism and mundanity are topics in his art and although they are "extremely bleak...there is so much beauty in the bleakness of it."

To stay up to date with Split Lip, find them on Instagram @splitlipmusic.