On the evening of Friday the 20th of June, local electronic hardcore band Dusthouse hosted their standalone hometown show at Yellow Arch Studios. With the support of fellow local acts Heaven Unknown, Displacer, and Till Forever Falls Apart, it promised to be an exhilarating and memorable event showcasing the potential and talent of Sheffield’s often overlooked alternative and heavy music scene, whilst also marking a significant moment in this headline band’s evolving journey.
Located on the outskirts of the city centre, the intimate venue offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that is instantaneously noticeable upon arriving. With several people already enjoying the summer heat in the courtyard, the evident tone is set for an inviting evening where everyone can feel welcome and involved. Following doors opening at 7 PM, there was only a short wait before the night commenced, with Till Forever Falls Apart embarking on the stage 20 minutes later.
The four-piece band immediately brought energy to the stage, delivering a strong and immersive performance that felt poignant and reminiscent of several timeless melodic post-hardcore numbers, with hazy and ethereal guitar tones, strong pensive vocals and steady and consistent drumming. Their set established the vitality in the room, instantly captivating the attention of attendees, which was reflected through the gentle swaying and soft headbanging of those engaging with their work. The set list included their only available single ‘INSTANT’, and the band concluded with a rendition of ‘The Kill’ by Thirty Seconds To Mars. They were a strong opening act and definitely had a lot to offer.
Next to take the stage was emotional hardcore band Displacer, offering a heavier approach in contrast. Through their online presence, this band has a specific aesthetic, which they have visibly chosen to implement into their live performance, with purple lighting promptly bathing the stage before the act broke out into a flurry of movement as soon as they picked up their instruments. This made for an entertaining and invigorating performance, which was in turn reciprocated with more animated activity from the audience. Likewise, this band played a set that included their only available single, ‘The View From A Fall’, which delivered punchy drumming, fast-paced guitar riffs, and powerful screams. Having only been established this year, this performance seemed promising for this band’s future potential.
At 8:55 PM, the third band for the night was Heaven Unknown. This Sheffield-based quintet has recently been garnering attention, with appearances such as Burn It Down festival booked for later in the year, for others to catch a glimpse of their developing and consistently impactful discography. A few of these tracks were recognisable throughout their set, such as ‘Decline’, ‘It Hurts The Most’ and their most recent single ‘Carousel’. They showcased their aptitude for switching between elegant vocals and emotionally brutal screams, against a backdrop of dreamy guitar tones merging into heavier riffs, with powerful and effective drumming that kept the room moving. Their sound felt nostalgic and simultaneously refreshing, making for an enthralling experience, one that has evidently helped them captivate as emerging talents in the scene, which will hopefully continue to evolve from here even more.
Last but not least was headliner Dusthouse, emerging on stage at 9:45 PM with the audience already warmed up and the excitement palpable in the room. As the lights dimmed and the stage was concealed in a theatrical haze, their upbeat rave-like opening track played out, amplifying the anticipation for their performance. As soon as the band hit the stage, they wasted no time in unleashing their energy and delivering all the presence and power of an experienced headlining band. Despite having only been established two years prior, they have managed to play a handful of venues throughout the city and across a few parts of the country so far, and having been able to catch one of their performances at Sidney and Matilda in Sheffield back in 2023, it is evident that Dusthouse certainly know how to get a room moving, regardless of whichever venue they find themselves at.
Their entertaining mixture of hardcore heavy riffs paired with electronic elements, intense vocals and striking drumming made for an infectious recipe of fast-paced, vibrant and textured tracks that instantaneously captivate and naturally compel movement, whilst still engaging with the raw emotion delivered through their lyricism. This is reflected throughout their limited but expanding discography, consisting of EP This, Is Losing from last year and latest single release ‘It Proves You Lied All Along’, displayed in unrestrained, full force at their live sets. And despite some technical difficulties that arose, Dusthouse also exhibited all the resilience and determination of an artist passionate about their work and putting on the best performance, a commendable attribute that has demonstrated their professional character as a band, even when the music is not playing. This was a strong and promising show, offering a fun and refreshing take on the heavy music genre, which hopefully signifies another significant step in the band’s journey as they continue to develop.
Overall, this unique standalone show was a successful event, showcasing the best each band has to offer, not just in the performing moment, but also the potential they have for the future. Their progress and latest appearances can be found on their respective socials and should definitely be checked out.
