Howling Bells, Bodega, Nottingham

The Bodega’s a small venue, so it’s surprising to find it more or less empty as we walk in.  Feeling a bit guilty about missing the support act Climbing Boys, we grab a drink and stake out a spot in the barren space in front of the stage.

The nice thing about a venue like The Bodega is that it’s cosy; when the Howling Bells come out we’re close enough to them that we could reach out and touch front woman Juanita Stein, should we get the urge (we manage to restrain ourselves).  Odd though, that there’s no fanfare to the start of the performance.  There’s no applause as the quartet assemble themselves on stage – not even a cheer.  The lights remain off until their instruments are in hand and they open with ‘Paris’.

The band is out to promote their new album Heartstrings, which comes out the next day.  A fan from the band’s early days, I must admit I don’t own their last album and haven’t heard much from the new one, so I’m expecting to drift through the gig without knowing much – but only two songs in and familiar songs come in the way of ‘Blessed Night’ and ‘Ballad For The Bleeding Hearts’, amongst others.

It’s always nice to get a bit of chat from the band at a gig, but this is lacking tonight.  We’re about half an hour in before Juanita finally addresses us, and as the room falls silent someone from the back of the room – which has filled up somewhat – shouts, “You’re awesome!” With a bashful smile, Juanita replies, “Well thank you,” before introducing a track from the new record.  It gets a good reaction from the audience who are nodding along to the music, which is similar to their early stuff, if a little rockier.

The rest of the gig showcases songs old and new; there’s a beautiful, stripped back version of ‘Paper Heart’, and ‘Setting Sun’ gets the room excited – it’s by far the most popular track of the night.  Sometimes slower songs in a set become a bit dull when you’re used to the pacier ones, but tonight everything is enthralling.  Juanita sways and writhes around whilst strumming her guitar and the rest of the band is equally lost in the music.  Instead of looking at our watch or phone, we find ourselves getting just as involved, and as we look around the room, it seems we’re not alone – and the cheers and whoops get louder as the night goes on.

Before we know it though, Howling Bells bring the gig to a close.  “I’d be an awful singer if I didn’t promote the record,” Juanita smirks as the band end with new song ‘Reverie’, full of thumping, thrashing drums driving things forward.  With that, they’re gone.

In the shortest encore we’ve ever seen, we’re treated to ‘Broken Bones’, before the four-piece disappear off again – just as the audience seems to be getting going.  It’s been a good night; a great gig full of wonderfully dreamy vocals, heartfelt lyrics and moody music.  Howling Bells are back, and they’re on form.