Live Review: Creeper, Calva Louise + Starbenders at The O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

If you want proof that horror-punk is alive and thriving in London, look no further than the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The 2,300-capacity room was packed for Creeper, and every inch of it was in character.

The Crawlers, as Creeper fans are known, came dressed to kill. Face paint, fake blood, patch-covered battle jackets, a nun’s habit and a bloodied bridal veil: the front rows looked like a horror film wedding party, and they were loving every minute.

Starbenders got the night going with a confident, glam-tinged set full of swagger and stage presence.

Starbenders

Calva Louise followed with a high-energy performance that kept the room moving. Their sound was loud, fast and full of life, and the crowd was fully warmed up by the time they left the stage.

Calva Louise

Creeper’s entrance was theatre as much as rock and roll. A silhouette of a man appeared behind the curtain, giving the usual pre-show briefing about filming and phones. Then a warrior-like woman appeared and hacked him to death. As the curtain dropped, the band exploded into ‘Blood Magick (It’s a Ritual)’, and the Forum went wild.

Wild is the right word for the rest of the night. Crowd surfers came over the barrier thick and fast, and the security team at the front had their hands full. Bodies flew, arms were in the air, and the whole room sang along. It was loud, fun and a little bit demonic.