Gig: Rottweiler @ The Prince Albert, Brighton
Last Thursday, eager fans flocked through the treacherous weather to one of Brighton’s beloved grassroots venues, The Prince Albert. Local grunge-pop outfit Rottweiler was poised and ready for their final headline gig of the year, supported by Psychic & Wellbeing Event, Baby Teeth, and Leibniz.
After manic warm-up performances from the supports, the five-piece hit the stage, where they invited the storm from outside in.
There was simply no hesitation from Rottweiler as they began with a fiercely dynamic piece that showcased the talent of the whole band. Confidence seeped from their playing as an outfit, which reassured the audience that it was going to be a firecracker of a night.
Powerhouse vocalist Jessica James, who joined forces with the band in January, commanded the room with such an enticing intensity that it felt as if we were watching a play rather than a gig. Her movements were theatrical as she accentuated every instrumental change with flailing limbs and exaggerated expressions. It was somewhat unhinged at times but aligned with the band’s vigour.
Despite James’s overwhelming performance, the musicians around her did well to maintain Rottweiler’s overall stage presence. No members were redundant or unmoving, which is often the case when competing with such a strong frontperson.
Lead guitarist Willow Simpson delivered some truly captivating riffs, visibly savouring each note they played amidst the sludge suffusing the rhythm section. A comical yet enchanting feature of the set was bassist Matthew Sherren standing next to a fan the whole time, which had his hair blowing majestically just like a supermodel on set.
After 45 minutes of watching the pit go crazy below, James decided she wanted a piece of the action. She screamed her name from some visceral place before running into the crowd and expending all the energy she had left. Which, to my surprise, was any.
Rottweiler’s final gig of the year was a certain triumph. When this band go, they go, and there’s absolutely no stopping. I envisage big things for them in 2025. Bigger songs, bigger stages, and bigger love from their fans.
Rottweiler’s latest single “Joyride” is out now on all your favourite platforms.
