LIVE FROM THE PIT: Holywatr and Within Reach

This was to be a night of firsts. First tours, first time touching down on UK soil, first live experience of already loved bands, but what was familiar was the energy in the room buzzing as five-hundred people filed in, every inch of the venue filled shoulder to shoulder with excited gig goers, the electrifying anticipation of a night to remember hanging in the atmosphere.

Taking to the modest sized stage that seemed as if it wouldn’t be big enough to house this five piece group, having played on the very same stage only a few weeks earlier, WITHIN REACH were no strangers to the small space, as was made clear when they came on like a storm, claimed every inch of it as their own and commanded the crowd’s attention from the moment the snare hit on their newest release Liar And The Host.

This up and coming band are well seasoned in opening shows and supporting already established names such as WE CAME AS ROMANS and OUR PROMISE, easily getting hearts racing, blood pumping and faces smiling with their high energy and immediate tempo setting for the night, these lads are the perfect kick starter for an adrenaline fuelled night. 

Upon calling for everyone to put their torches up, or in the case of one fan amongst the crowd, the old school lighter in the air, for the raw and emotional track Hesitate, bright white lights swayed in time as the deep hellish sounds of frontman Kenzie Clagie accompanied the stunning melodic chorus vocals from guitarist Bailey Dopson. 

Filling the packed out room with heavy growling vocals from Kenzie and sharp crashing drum beats from exceptionally skilled drummer Aidan Scally, the mission to hype up every person in place was a major success! If this UK based metalcore standout isn’t on your radar, you’re missing a trick. Gritty, biting and infectiously passionate, WITHIN REACH are well on their way to becoming an industry sensation. Having clearly been dipping their toes into the fountain of youth, these talented beyond their years powerhouse young guns are going big places. And we can’t wait to see it!

Bringing their highly anticipated headline ‘BITE BACK’ tour to the UK for the very first time, playing for three dates only - including the monumental Download Festival, HOLYWATR hit the stage at their sold out London show, entering through smoke and spotlight. The intimate venue of The Underworld packed wall to wall with eagerly awaiting fans, ready to give their warm welcome. Playing hits from their new album Deo Gratias such as Pure Leaf, Burn The Witch and Give Me A Show, the Californian collective stay true to their genre pushing sound of sultry, gritty alt metal mixed with heavy emotion, melodic falsettos and raw screaming vocals that fans know and love.

After a brief pause in the set for lead vocalist Patrick Middelthon, known as Holy in online spaces, to speak on the brotherly bond the band shares and connect with the crowd, where it was revealed that a handful of devoted fans flew all the way to New York, USA to see the four piece perform and then back again, ears were graced with their most popular tracks Nail Polish, Fade and Winter Pine, allowing elongated breaks in the songs for the ‘congregation’ - the name given to HOLYWATR fans - to excitedly sing the lyrics back.

Whilst encouraging pits, stage diving and crowd surfing throughout the set, it was announced that for the four minutes that For The Plot played, there would be a girls only pit, allowing for a friendlier mosh than traditional pits. The girls gathered and joyful screams filled the room as the soft angelic vocals into deep guttural growls from Holy rang in ears, heavy powerful beats from drummer Daniel Gallardo hit and clean, hypnotising riffs filled the room from guitarists Chandler Martin and another whose name remains a mystery.

Towards the end of the night, HOLYWATR did the classic exiting of the stage with a wave for the inevitable demand for an encore, and demand the sea of hungry-for-more fans did. Chanting “ONE MORE SONG!” over and over until the lights dimmed again, the intro track of the next song began to play and the cheering and hollering crowd were treated to not just one more song, but three!

Bringing it home with one of their most popular and well loved songs, Loose Ends, both band members and congregation alike sang at the top of their voices in harmony, a truly special moment for all and the perfect way to end an incredible night. 

Though never having blessed us with their presence before now, this side of the globe is well aware of HOLYWATR’s addictive sound and collectively basked in its glory while we could, and impatiently await its return.

Words and photos: Ashleigh Robinson