Photo Credit: Chelsea Costello
Fresh from the release of their debut album Poor Advice, Dublin five piece Basht brought the record to Rough Trade Nottingham for an intimate in-store performance. With their first full length landing in the UK Top 40 in the first few days of release, the Alt-rock band had plenty to celebrate. For those hearing some of these songs for the first time, it offered an introduction to the sound that will define the band’s trajectory.
Jack Leavey, Sam Duffy, Rossa Healy, Louis Christle and Luke O’Neill walked onstage to cheers before opening with “Dive”. The album opener took its time to build, with Leavey’s vocals and O’Neill’s drumming setting the pace. “Perfume” kept that tension going. As the album’s first single, it was met with a warmer response from fans who already knew the words.
By the time “Kiera Knightly” arrived, the atmosphere had shifted. Already a fan favourite following its introduction on the band’s spring tour, its restless guitars brought an immediate sense of chaos to the room. “Terror TV” kept the momentum going, with its punchier post-punk sound translating effortlessly to the small venue. Despite Rough Trade’s 150 person capacity, the room soon opened up to the crowd jumping and tiny mosh pits.
“Superchurch” slowed the pace. Without his guitar, Leavey took centre stage, his vocals carrying the song’s exploration of religious guilt and the influence of Catholicism in Ireland. The change of pace offered a moment of reflection amid the more frenetic tracks, allowing the lyrics to remain the focal point.
The heavier sound returned with “Vermillion Reptilian”, driven by thick guitars and a distinctive riff. “Circadia” followed with another heavy opening, quickly setting the crowd moving again. Although previously unreleased, the track has featured in the band’s live sets throughout the year and left strong impressions on fans already. As it finished, chants of “Basht!” rang out across the room.
“Moth” brought a darker atmosphere, with Leavey’s vocals capturing the paranoia running through the song. “Kids Vs Guns” followed, tackling the human cost of global conflict, with the contrast between its quieter verses and more forceful choruses giving the track its impact.
Before closing the album performance with the title track, the band thanked the crowd and shared the news of Poor Advice reaching the UK Top 40. The song offered a hopeful finish to a record that confronts some difficult subjects. There was still time for “Wild Horses”, a fan favourite from their earlier releases, which prompted a final singalong. The band stayed afterwards to meet fans and sign records.
With Poor Advice climbing to No. 14 in the UK midweek album charts, Basht are making their mark on the UK alt-rock scene. Their Rough Trade performance showcased the strength of the debut in a live setting, with a sold-out show at Rescue Rooms still to come later this month. The Dublin five-piece have already made a strong case for Poor Advice beyond the studio, with plenty more to look forward to as they build on the success of their debut album.
