Witch Hook Gig Review: Post Punk Meets Grunge For An Electrifying Headline

On Saturday 31st Jan, I had the pleasure of going to a gig quite unlike any other — Witch Hook’s Independent Venue Week debut at The Croft. And what a show it was. The kind where you just can't take your eyes off of the stage. 

Celebrating their recent single ‘Pendulum’, Witch Hook were a force to be reckoned with. Their opening song ‘Rat Trap’ began with a subtle riff that, while stripped back, hinted at the chaos to come. If I was sitting down, I’d have been on the edge of

my seat. Instead, I was standing tall and transfixed — waiting eagerly for my chance to headbang. Reader, I was not disappointed. Slowly building with chuggy guitars and gritty vocals, the song opened up into a soaring chorus with heaps of attitude, and gave me my first chance (of many!) to get moving.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Dott captivated the audience with their wicked stage presence, leaning forwards on the monitor to scream out across the crowd.

Introducing themselves to a screaming crowd after the first song, Witch Hook quickly came into their own. Fitted with gothic threads and witchy eye makeup, the band truly lived up to their name. The second track came in hot with a racing drum beat to get the audience truly wired. ‘Are You My Grim Reaper?’ had elements of both 70s and modern punk rock, building a chaotic soundscape that demanded attention. 

Lead vocalist and guitarist Dott captivated the audience with their wicked stage presence, leaning forwards on the monitor to scream out across the crowd. With a distinctly piercing gaze and snarling tone, it was impossible to take your eyes off of them. Their vocal tone was bewitching, occasionally heard through a radio mic which felt unique and exciting.

The third song, ‘Withdrawal Symptoms’, beautifully dissipated the energy of the first two tracks by delving into some shoegazey goodness. It was here that bassist Jake was really allowed to shine — with groovy lines after the first chorus that became hooks in their own right. This was immediately followed by an unreleased track (which, you’ll be pleased to hear, is due to come out soon!), called ‘Splitting in Two’. 

The song’s heavy start soon evolved into a mesmerising, stripped back drum beat, followed by a gradual build that kept me guessing until the very end. Then came an absolute riot of a tune — released just a week ago, ‘Pendulum’ encapsulated feelings of anxiety through heart-racing metal, with Dott’s words communicating a powerful message. The crowd, by this point, felt electric — a mosh pit was brewing, and everyone could feel it. 

Both Harry and Dott ran around the stage like uncaged animals, with an infectious energy that sparked the inevitable mosh pit.

‘Losing Teeth’ shot through the set like a bullet. At only 2 minutes long, the track really brought drummer V into their own, as they smacked the cymbals with an uncontained rage. Breaking into a half-time beat at the end of the song, their energy was unparalleled, laying down a captivating foundation for the rest of the band to go absolutely wild. 

Around this point in the set, guest guitarist Harry took to the stage to allow Dott to really shine without an instrument to weigh them down. The effect was incredible, with both Harry and Dott running around the stage like uncaged animals, with an infectious energy that sparked the inevitable mosh pit. 

Just as I wished for a second to catch my breath, the set mellowed out into an emotional ballad. ‘Beguilement’ was perfectly placed to allow the audience to take a minute, and really process the monster of a set they’d been gifted so far. 

But the processing time didn’t last long. Almost immediately after the ballad, we were thrown into the final run of tracks that masterfully rounded off the set. ‘Asphyxiation’ and ‘Doctor, Doctor’ were shamelessly rabid, with Dott diving into the crowd and riling everybody up. By the last song, ‘Haunt Me!’, the mosh pit was in full swing. Written about a dominatrix, the final track had incredible energy. Short but sweet, the crowd were left wanting more — and I went home feeling like I’d been on an incredible journey. 

Overall, the set was beautifully constructed, with not a single dull moment in sight. For a 45-minute headline show, that’s remarkably impressive — and it was clear from Witch Hook’s command of the stage that they are well-versed in captivating a crowd. All in all, they're a real asset to the Bristol music scene. You can listen to most of the songs mentioned here on all streaming platforms, and make sure to keep an eye out for their next single, ‘Splitting in Two’.

If you want to see Witch Hook live, make sure to keep up to date with their gigs through Instagram, @witchhookofficial. I know I’m waiting for the next one with bated breath.

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