Naut are post-post punk pioneers with a side of classic rock and metal hailing from Bristol.
They are the first of tonight’s three bands to enthrall us with mental torture and, at times, paralysis, liberating guttural angst with a touch of impending doom.
Their sound? It’s dramatic, powerful, and serious, with driving synths and a pounding, triumphant bass line by Andi Effe. “All the Days” is life-affirming in a defiant, ‘don’t give a fuck’ kind of way, resonating with purpose and melodrama in their performance.
Gavin Laubscher, Jesus in a sequinned jacket, lets out primal scream that introduces song 2, accompanied by primeval posturing from bass and lead guitar and the Laubscher, contrasting with the keys player (Laura Taylor) who barely moves (a comment on the overbearing and outnumbered patriarchy on stage or just sheer concentration on playing the right notes?)
Arms are held high as they continue their set- they jump, squat, lunge and kick as Taylor stands serenely in front of her instrument and plays flawlessly.
Darkly faceted and insidiously infectious, the growing audience at The Garage tonight gets this music—it calls to them like a wolf’s solemn howl in the dark night. Evidently, it connects, as they nod intently and move with fervor and purpose to the impressive drum programming.
The lyrics are sung with conviction, the guitar playing is fabulously frenetic, and it’s absofuckinglutely all-round delicious in its darkness.
Naut supported The March Violets with Cold In Berlin 20th July 2024 at The Garage, Islington
