Night Out at Tooth

Photo Credits: Matty Thornton

The Bodega Nottingham hosted the new upcoming, guitar rock band Tooth last night. Tooth are an alternative indie rock band from London, who blew up posting videos on social media of them playing their original music at local house parties. With the release of their new single, ‘Take Me As I Am’, they head out on their sold-out UK headline tour.

On Thursday 15th October, the doors opened at 7pm to 250 people. Lights were on and the atmosphere was electric. The demographic consisted of 18-25 year olds. Thatchers Juicy Apple and Jubel Peach in hand. The support band, Uncle Junior, set the stage at 8pm with, at guess, 90% of the crowd already there, anticipating Tooth’s later performance. They brought energy and clear sound to warm the crowd up. The venue was getting hot, sticky and tight as people were pushing to the front to secure a good spot for the gig.

9pm. Entrance through the back doors and as fantastic as small venues are, you can feel the intimacy with the band no matter where you are standing in the room. Their debut single, Age of Innocence kicks the set off. Their music symbolising relatable teen struggles really captured the crowd tonight as the audience sings passionately back to the band: ‘Oh, but I didn’t think youth would be this complicated’, ‘and I tried but I know I can’t do it again’, ‘the age of innocence’. Great to see real thought behind eyes of the youth as many in the modern era are glued to their screens. Many phones weren’t seen tonight and it was a nice feeling that many were living ‘in the moment’. Back to back hits as Restless in Bloom is played second. The guitar riff is sung back to the singer from the crowd with the second half of the song slowing the audience into a peaceful reflection which is made personal through the repetition of ‘I saw a future and you weren’t there’. A powerful and strong finish lit fire under the foots of the fans.

Due to having only 6 released songs, this forced the band to play some unreleased tracks which dulled the atmosphere of the crowd. You could feel a drop off as conversations within the crowd grew loud. However, fans were feeling the songs and you can feel unity and togetherness within the room. The setlist then lead on to Wallflower which kickstarted the crowd. You could see more hands in the air than there had ever been. It was like the bar had just offered free drinks to everyone. This song has love and it is so deserved! ‘I’m standing here do you see me?’. The song that encapsulates loneliness created an outstanding juxtaposition of which the crowd had evolved from past relatability to now a unified community and family. Finishing with hit single Medicine started to see mosh pits and a big sendoff for Tooth. ‘This is your last chance for a dance’ said Tom Pollock (the lead singer), as the crowd go hell for leather one final time. A fantastic performance and a band that I will definitely be revisiting. It was nice to see them wave off the fans at their merch desk, offering pictures and autographs which really sealed that intimacy and chemistry between the music producers and consumers.

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