Kid Brunswick | The Ramp, Bolton | 03/02/24

‘No more disappearing, just constant new music baby’ announces Kid Brunswick, commanding a pop-up show ahead of a huge year for the 25-year-old alt-rock artist.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Back in May 2023, Kid Brunswick (known off-stage as Harry), played a defiant set at the OMEARA to an audience more akin to a devilish choir, willing to lend their anger, vocals and spirit at every opportunity. Those were the exact words we used for our review. We dubbed it one of the best live shows of 2023, despite only being rehearsed once.

It’s been a little over 8 months since any headline show. In that time, we’ve had time to digest The Fall: Part 1. A turbulent, grungy and melancholic EP shedding light on toxic relationships, drugs, and mental health across 5 narrative tracks.

Bringing the rage to 2024, Kid Brunswick announced a pop-up (warmup) show to coincide with the opening of a new alternative club night (Eat You Alive) at The Ramp, Horwich. The venue made the news last year for supporting young musicians. The lineup also included Octopus Montage, Hametsu and Pageant Mum.

“I need all of you to open up the pit, right now” a robotic voice declares, after reading out the definition of a mosh pit over the speakers. A circle expands to the size of the room, and Kid Brunswick struts onto the stage wearing all white, chains and donning a fresh haircut. There’s no band this time, just a DJ set, as he aims to ‘find what’s next for live shows’.

Within seconds the chaotic riff of Prescription Kid erupts, launching everyone into a frenzy. Dear Anonymous and fan-favourite STAINED then kept the energy flowing through pure angst. Blow received a welcome rendition from the crowd, with SKINNY igniting shockwaves. ‘KB, we wanna party’ chants the DJ, riling up the crowd to a party atmosphere.

‘I’m very f**king nervous about this show, on top of that there’s water dripping on my head’.

This evening isn’t about the songs we all know and love, it’s about what’s next. There were x3 new tunes road-tested. We didn’t catch the name of the first, but Collide drops in two weeks and sets into motion the next era.

Ape Sh*t was a spectacular highlight, giving a much clearer indication as to where Brunswick’s heading concept-wise. It has a roaring chorus, assumably to tear up venues with larger-than-life mosh pits. Think Bipolar Rhapsody, but on a much bigger scale. No wonder it’s his favourite song he’s ever written. The crowd lost the plot, even more so when it played for a second time.

After thanking people for coming down to the middle of nowhere, we threw ourselves into a repeat of Blow, with carnage unfolding - so much so the fire alarm set off. Taking it all in his stride, he encouraged people to join in as he sang one of our favourites, 4am.

Before wrapping up the night with grandiose-closer Bipolar Rhapsody, Kid Brunswick leaves us with one thing. Words we’ve wanted to hear for a long time. ‘No more disappearing, just constant new music baby.’

:: Round-Up ::

What felt momentous about this evening was the shared experience between the artist and the audience. Anyone who made it into the crowd caught a glimpse of what was on the horizon. And played a part in the ever-expanding story unfolding around Kid Brunswick. This wasn’t your typical show, it was a warm-up for something much, much bigger.

You won’t be going hungry any longer. With a single dropping imminently, a hotly-anticipated new project being announced and more live shows on the cards, 2024 is not ready for Kid Brunswick. And neither are you.

See full setlist on Setlist.fm. Were you at the show? Check out our Insta and TikTok for videos, or share your own with us.