The Birthday Massacre, Lesbian Bed Death, Deadfilmstar
Bedford Esquires, November 7
Deadfilmstar
A bone-shaking beat and a we’re-gonna-smoke-yer-bones demeanour, Deadfilmstar are bathed in red light as they throw out blood-curdling synths like spears. This is cold, old skool goff sung with a lazy dark drawl. It feels like this evening’s openers are inviting Esquires into their freaky little fantasy and we would willingly follow them all the way back down to wherever they came from. Deadfilmstar give zero fucks to maximum effect.
Lesbian Bed Death
Out of the shadows, onto the stage, the sultry, sassy Lesbian Bed Death sink their fangs firmly into their willing followers. And the not so willing ones? There don’t seem to be any here tonight. The floor’s filled with the beautiful people who are already fans, and with a setlist that starts with full pelt punky ‘The Midnight Horror Show’ and grinding dark rocker ‘The Antichrist’ the conversion is quick and painless for those not previously part of the cult. Provocative ‘Satanic Suicide Sex Cult’ erm, goes down well as always. The unmistakeable opening of ‘I Use My Powers For Evil’ haunt Esquires and closes LBD’s slot which (whisper it so we don’t jinx it) could totally be a headline one. Oh, and lead singer JJ’s mic stand gets a cheer all of its own. What more can you ask for?
The Birthday Massacre
Enchanting, mesmerising, captivating… all those lovely adjectives that take you away from the real world and into the fairytale, sugar spun yet cyanide tinged escapism of The Birthday Massacre. A class act who come from Canada but sound and look like they hail from that dreamy yet deadly place in between sleep and awake. You know the one – where you’re drifting off then startle so badly because your body feels like it’s dropped from a cliff. Because despite the euphoria this gorgeous goth electro rock bring – especially in ‘The Vanishing Game’ which sounds so lush and cinematic tonight, and the trancey floaty feeling ‘To Die For’ throws Esquires into, The Birthday Massacre sprinkle a few shards of glass into their glittering performance. As lead singer Chibi alludes to in one of her lovely little chats with the crowd between songs (which give the sold out venue an intimate feel) her band don’t shy away from making their faithful uncomfortable. Synth-soaked ‘Superstition’ echoes around early in the set. ‘Under Your Spell’ is a haunting live highlight which is blissful yet bitey. ‘Pins and Needles’ drops heavy and has Esquires singing their hearts out. The encore of ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Red Stars’ and finally ‘Blue’ are a thrilling trio to close this silken set that’s been a balm for the soul. Live, The Birthday Massacre are utterly bewitching.
The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre
