Photo Credit: Philippa Revitt
Following the announcement of their second album, ‘Corporation P.O.P’, Manchester quartet HOT MILK headed out on a short run across the UK, performing both new and fan-favourite songs to packed rooms. Returning to Sheffield for the first time in three years, this was the bands debut headline show in the city and what better way than in front of a sold out Corporation crowd.
Leicester band MOUTH CULTURE opened the night, having already become a regular in Sheffield over the last two years since their support slot with While She Sleeps back in 2023. The Midlands’ intensity was unrivalled compared to previous appearances, kicking off their set with ‘Sharkbait‘ to warm up the crowd, the tempo in the room was immediately lifted. Keeping up the tempo with ‘No Shame‘, more people began to flood into the venue and joined in for ‘Dead In Love‘ and new song ‘Ratbag‘, with the latter hinting at potential further new material from the band. Concluding their short set with ‘Don’t Pull Up‘, the band wrapped up their performance with a triumphant return to the steel city for sure.
Now at full capacity, Corp was bursting at the seams, just moments before HOT MILK made their way on to the stage. The minute the room turned to darkness, the crowd erupted in cheers, with the Manchester quartet sprinting on stage to greet the crowds enthusiasm. Opening with their new single ’90 Seconds to Midnight’, the energy was already at an all-time high, showcasing that this is a clear favourite amongst many in the crowd already. As ‘Horror Show’ quick followed, alongside their second EP’s title track, further new music was delivered in the form of ‘Swallow This’, which has been released just 48 hours prior to the show, giving an insight in to what the upcoming record entails.
As each lyric was delivered perfectly, Han Mee fed off of the energy in the room, throwing herself around the wide stage, whilst remaining eye contact with everyone below her, witnessing the carnage unfolding. The lone song from their debut EP featured in the form of pop-rock anthem ‘Wide Awake‘, to give the show a more upbeat moment, whilst showcasing the bands’ progression in the last six years with the remainder of the set heavily featuring songs from their second EP onwards. Additional powerful tracks ‘Breathing Underwater‘ and ‘Bloodstream‘ maintained the tempo at full speed, while the unreleased ‘Insubordinate England‘ was the final glimpse of new music on the night.
Whilst new music is always a privilege to experience live, the Sheffield crowd were as equally receptive once ‘Party On My Deathbed‘ brought the night to a close just past the hour mark. As an encore began to loom once the lights flickered back on stage, the bands returned for one final standoff. Han Mee urged the packed house to join in for the final song of the evening, as stand-alone single ‘Glass Spiders‘ served as the true final track, giving those in attendance one final opportunity to let loose on a Sunday night before reality sets back in for a new week ahead.
HOT MILK‘s upcoming album is expected to push boundaries in a number of ways, and as with all of their previous releases, they will seize this opportunity of a new era with all of their might, with a dedicated fan base right beside them.
Taped Magazine 