
W.H. Lung
W.H. Lung
W.H. Lung @ The Bodega, Nottingham, UK, November 23, 2024,
Dec 02, 2024
Photography by Adam Houghton
Web Exclusive
Nottingham is the place to be right now. A real hive of activity when it comes to music, arts and culture which is why tonight of all nights the city is buzzing wherever the mood takes you. Whether it’s at The Carousel for the launch of new independent publication The Sprawl which features some of Nottingham’s finest acts from the worlds of music and poetry or over yonder to Saltbox, where an equally vibrant Rock Against Racism event boasts an eclectic and diverse mix of musical treats from all genres and backgrounds. Indeed, it makes a refreshing change to be so spoiled for choice.
Nevertheless, Under the Radar find ourselves at the Bodega (via a brief sojourn at The Carousel) for the long-awaited and it’s probably fair to say, eagerly anticipated return of W.H. Lung. Playing their first show in Nottingham since May 2019 when touring debut album Incidental Music, it’s been a long wait for the Manchester-based five-piece to return to the city but one that’s brought the crowds flocking to the Bodega judging how busy it is long before the band take to the stage.

Fresh off the back of this year’s critically acclaimed third long player Every Inch Of Earth Pulsates, the quintet have become of the most innovative recording acts and taut live bands on the circuit, What that also means is they now have a strong back catalogue which almost certainly makes choosing what to put on the setlist a difficult but healthy dilemma.
Tonight’s eleven-songs set focuses heavily on the new record - understandably, yet also revisits their previous two albums - including four off the aforementioned first Incidental Music. What’s also apparent is how W.H. Lung have developed into such an engaging proposition in the flesh, effortlessly veering between electronic psychedelia, errant poit punk and solid dancefloor classics in the blink of an eye/change of a chord.
Frontman Joe Evans being the focal point, such is his hyperactive nature and ability to hit every vocal with note-for-note and pitch perfection. Ably assisted by Hannah Peace on keys and vocals, Tom Sharkett on guitars, bass player Chris Mulligan and the recently added Sidonie Hand-Halford on drums.
Between them they radiate a chemistry that immediately infects itself on the audience, turning the whole Bodega into one, giant sweaty mess of a dancefloor reminiscent of a late 80s/early 90s basement. Two of their best known songs off second record Vanities (“Showstopper” and “Pearl In The Palm”) are dispatched early on, sandwiched by new album opener “Lilac Sky” and a shimmering “Painting Of The Bay”. Each depicting a different side of the band’s make-up.

Early single from 2017 “Want” and a buoyant rendition of follow-up “Second Death Of My Face” - dedicated to anyone suffering from mental health related issues - provided a welcome reminder of why many people fell in love with W.H. Lung in the first place while Every Inch Of Earth Pulsates’ lead single “How To Walk” and an equally ebullient “I Will Set The House On Fire” elongate the joyous mood out front.
Closing on the now familiar set-ender that’s “Inspiration!”, Evans and band in full flow to create a spectacular grand finale that lives up to the song’s title. It goes without saying W.H. Ling’s next visit to the city will almost certainly be in a bigger room than this. Long may their upwards trajectory continue!
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