Live: The Howl and The Hum at NBHD Festival
By Olivia White
The Howl & The Hum are a York-based alt-rock quartet who opened Neighbourhood Festival 2017. They were the first performers at the Deaf Institute, and I genuinely could not have chosen a better band to begin the day myself.
I find it very difficult to compare the Hum to any other modern band that I have seen, as their live performances are second to none. Intense, compelling, and atmospheric are the three words that I would use to describe this potent quartet. Frontman Sam Griffith’s vocals ooze warmth and safety yet are underpinned by a curious element of insanity which comes to light in songs such as ‘Manea’ and ‘Murder’ coupled with his impulsive and impassioned body flinches.
Griffiths is accompanied by the musical efforts of his fellow band members, fusing together to create a spine-tingling and extremely emotive composition. Given the intimacy of the gig, this resounded off each wall to create a thick sweeping blanket of emotion, infusing the air with what I can only describe as electrifying nostalgia. T
he unfeigned lyrical style of The Howl and the Hum accompanied with the progressive structure of their songs is really where the treasures of this band can be found. The 4-piece utterly submerged themselves in the pure, raw and gritty ambience that radiated from their combined efforts and this could be seen in their perfectly synchronised movements which filled the stage. To quote a friend I met there, “I can’t tell whether the pounding in my chest is from the drums or if it’s my own heartbeat.”
This leads me onto their single ‘Godmanchester Chinese Bridge’, Which features on their newest EP (also named after the single). Honestly, I could have written my entire review on The Howl and the Hum’s performance of this song alone as it will always hold a special place in my heart.
I will never forget the day I stumbled across them and heard it for the first time, with lyrics that parallel a heart to heart exchanged between two old lovers. Sam guided the audience through an intensely profound journey of heartbreak and sentimentality before dropping an explosion of guitar laced with Sam’s eerie repetition of “and if you’re lost, I will be waiting.” ‘Godmanchester Chinese Bridge’ is an incredibly evocative, nostalgic and melancholic song that leaves you missing someone you’ve never even met.
Words can’t begin to convey just how special The Howl and the Hum are live, don’t miss out on the next big upcoming modern band.
9/10