Gig review: Crawlers at Rescue Rooms

Emerging from the raw underbelly of the UK alt scene, Cheshire's four-piece Crawlers have been cultivating their own path - and a large fanbase - since their introductory EP in late 2021.

Now, channelling into the emotional wreckage of modern life with their debut album The Mess We Seem To Make last year, Crawlers continue their story as a voice for the generation. Since their emergence, Crawlers have fashioned a space where vulnerability thrashes against power. Known for garnering a young fanbase of rebel and fight, the band are the perfect vessel through which to scream at the world. Fashioned within Freshers' Week, Rescue Rooms was rife with their young fan-base, eagerly awaiting one of their favourites to return to the stage.

First, however, we were met with the support for the night. A cornerstone of our own local alternative angst, Luna & The Lime Slices brought their staple sound to a room already abuzz with anticipation. Hailed for their rich vocal harmonies and explosive instrumentals, the five-piece delighted the crowd with their debut, Back To You, as well as singles RedRoom and If You're Sober I'll Stay - a full-circle sound of what the group offers, as it shows two different moments ahead of their upcoming EP.

The audience certainly didn't have to wait long for the headliners. We were hit with a wall of noise as Crawlers took to the stage.

Teeming with viral anthems as well as new flavours, it quickly became apparent that they were not messing about. From I Can't Drive dedicated to the provisional heroes in the audience, to the effortless debut heroics of Kills Me To Be Kind, the setlist was not short of every epilogue, every chapter and moment that Crawlers have made so far in their short timespan.

We were treated to newcomers Afraid To Die and Cool as we entered a new era of a band far more sonically emphatic in their songwriting. 

2022's Too Soon saw lead vocalist Holly Minto join the crowd in a whirlygig of sweaty jumpers while frenetic stand-out I Don't Want It was such a release for so many in the room.

Of course, before too long, we were met with the favourites everyone was waiting for. F*ck Me (I Didn't Know What To Say) sizzled in the room with its bad attitude, and Hang Me Like Jesus was an acoustic impasse of pause, before viral hit Come Over (Again) shined on a band who were very much in their element, but in the grand scheme of things barely getting started.

The performance was topped off by Holly, of course, who was equally hypnotic and bodacious in manner. For a band who first gained widespread attention in 2021, Holly, Liv and Amy graced the stage as if they've been doing it for many more years. For many, a band is only as good as their fanbase, and Crawlers have this in abundance, too. A group of young, unbridled joy, angst and energy, it certainly made those hard-hitting moments all the more wholehearted.