A RØRY gig is no ordinary gig, rather a safe space for emotional catharsis with a London room full of the most empathetic comrades in arms.
As she herself commented in mock surprise,
‘You don’t come to these gigs to have fun do you?’
Therefore it is truly fitting that on Thursday, as part of her debut album ‘Restoration’ tour, she played to a sold out Kentish Town Forum.
But first a word about the stellar support acts. Brighton based duo Lake Malice were a revelation with their high energy fusion of hyper-pop and metal, and they seemed wonderfully at home on the big stage, summoning tremendous energy from the early crowd. A combination of Alice Guala’s metal screams and Blake Cornwall’s furious riffs have made them a solid presence online and they are already booked out for many festivals, you can see why with definite Calva Louise and Knife Bride vibes. Highlights included recent single ‘Scatterbrain’ and ‘Mitsuko’ from their debut EP ‘Post Genesis’, which certainly got the mosh pit and crowd surfers going.
Nottingham’s As December Falls prepared their arrival with a blast of Vengaboy’s ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’ over the speakers, before launching into a rollicking seven song set. The four-piece, led by frontwoman Bethany Curtis and completed by guitarist Ande Hunter Jimenez, bassist Timmy Francis and drummer Kieran Hagarty, tore through an energetic pop punk and metalcore influenced set including gems from ‘Join The Club’, such as ‘Carousel’ and ‘Mayday’ which inevitably sent the mosh pit into overdrive. Comparisons to Paramore are well deserved. They also previewed songs ‘Angry Cry’ and ‘Therapy’ from their fourth forthcoming album Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine, due August, which based on the quality of the song and the audience reaction is set to be a cracker.
There was of course no doubt who the audience were waiting to see. RØRY has not only gone through a miraculous journey from loss early in her life, through battling with her demons and coming out the other side sober and in control of her life, she has painstakingly shared her journey and written some of the most raw and authentic songs, which only the heartless could failed to be touched by. Along the way she has also developed a special relationship with her fans, lovingly called the 37 Club. It has become a safe space for everyone who has struggled with mental health, loss, addiction and ADHD and provided a sense of community for those who would otherwise feel despair and isolation.
RØRY strode onto the stage with the rambunctious ‘In The Bible’ Pain, followed by the heart-rending ‘if pain could talk what would it say’ both firm fan favourites which had the crowd singing along and the mosh pit moshing.
Ably supported by bandmates Pete Daynes on bass guitar, Becca Robinson on drums and Charlie Manning on guitar, RØRY owned the stage as if it was her second home. The lighting and ominous backdrop helped make it even more special.
Amongst the many highlights there was the heartbreaking ‘Jesus and John Lennon’ an ode to her mother who died from cancer, and you could feel the quiver in her voice as she stated that she wished she could be here to witness her London show, as so many artists do when playing such a monumental show. Then she turned to her ‘fan family’ and thanked them for being there.
Bethany Curtis came back onstage for ‘My Funeral Song’, with the two women having lots of fun together onstage, whilst intertwining their powerful vocals.
Another highlight was the acoustic part of the show, when she appeared on the balcony, with Charlie and sang ‘One Drink Away’, an ode to the fragility of beating addiction and the everyday battle to stay on the right track, followed by the bittersweet ‘apology i’ll never receive’.
She dedicated her recently released pop punk banger ‘WOLVES’ to her current partner and ended her initial set with the underrated ‘The Atheist’.
The encore of ‘SORRY I’M LATE’ and ‘BLOSSOM’ was a perfect ending to the show, signalling how far she had come and depicting her success against all odds.
From playing to 200 people in February 2024 to over 2000 in just a year, RØRY, the resplendent ageless 40-year-old is just getting started.
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Tourdates
9 March Rock City Nottingham, UK
10 March O2 Ritz Manchester, UK
12 March SW3 Glasgow, UK
13 March Stylus Leeds, UK
11 June Rock for the People, Czech Republic
10 July 2000 Trees Cheltenham, UK