By Anna Dodd, Features Editor
I forget the simple magic of a weekday gig in Bristol. Turning up to a small venue on a Tuesday night to see some live music is one of the many pleasures of living in this city, and nights like these give me hope that independent venues will continue to survive despite their struggles.
I found out about HumDrum’s show at The Lanes through a friend of a friend, and it felt as though many people in the crowd were in the same boat. There was a palpable sense of community that brought an aliveness to the room, and I relished in the comfort of being surrounded by a flurry of familiar faces in the packed-out smokers.
Our rendezvous in the smoking area was broken by the sound of the speaker system kicking in as HumDrum took to the stage. At once, I was caught in the swarm as everyone filed into the venue, and I made a beeline to the front, completely unsure of what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised by HumDrum’s unique and eclectic style, and at once taken away by the beauty of live music, a thrill I had very much missed. The five-piece band come together to create an idiosyncratic sound, described as a ‘neo-jazz fusion’ in their Spotify biography.
They pushed through the obstacles of live performance with ease, which included handling technical difficulties without too much disruption to the set, and bassist Ben and singer Palo playing the show whilst nursing fevers.
Palo did not let this hold her back from delivering an emotive performance, her sultry soprano voice breathing life into the songs. Sipping from a can of beer in between the tracks, she oozed confidence and let the music carry her into new realms. She announced with pride that the gig fell on HumDrum’s birthday, a special milestone for the band.
This was met by supportive whoops and cheers from friends in the crowd, creating a warm atmosphere that bolstered the energy in the room. A quick tech issue gave room for Palo to thank openers Dogsbody and Horsefair, before introducing the band: Frankie on keys, Ben on bass, Simone on drums, and guitarist Hunter. The guitar in particular was a standout of HumDrum’s sonic resonance, elevating every song to new heights with impressive riffs and stirring melodies.
The more upbeat sections of the setlist were accompanied by members of the crowd dancing to the jazzy rhythms, seemingly familiar with the songs already, which was heart-warming to see. This sense of communality and friendship enriched my experience tenfold.
The evening was a great example of the way in which community props up young artists and enables a rich and vibrant concert culture to sustain itself. It truly made me realise how much I have missed seeing live music in Bristol, and has inspired me to take leaps into the unknown by attending gigs I wouldn’t usually tend to go to.
Eve Davies
I was disappointed to realise HumDrum currently only have one song out on Spotify, so I can’t enjoy the setlist beyond this one night, but with their idiosyncratic vision and stylistic fusion of genre, I have no doubt they will continue to reach greater heights and return to a stage in Bristol again soon.
Featured Image: Epigram / Anna DoddWill you catch them live next time?
