Live Review: Acres with Lastelle, Mouth Culture, and Follower at Boston Music Room, Tuffnell Park, London (21/10/23)

The future of the alternative rock and metal world is in safe hands. A statement that can be categorically said having bore witness to Acres in the live environment. Alongside the impressive array of bands that they brought with them for a standout London show.

Taking place on the 21st of October at the Boston Music Room in Tufnell Park, It’s a wet evening in London, but spirits aren’t dampened as folks pack out the venue. Ready for the opening band, Follower.

A new band for this reviewer, Follower blend classic alternative soundscapes with post-hardcore energy, and throw in a dash of emo for good measure. Their job is to warm up the crowd, a wet and cold crowd, and they do a mighty fine job thanks to an infectious collection of anthems. Their time on stage might be short, but their impact is felt.

Mouth Culture are up next, and again, I’m not too familiar with their stuff, but expectations are high as it seems like a lot of people in the room are here for them as much as the headline band.

Offering up a sound that fits roughly in the alternative rock, blended with indie-pop, world. Mouth Culture showcase the capabilities of a band that will only get bigger, thanks to the inherent catchiness that exists in their tunes. Yet, personally, there’s a disconnect here and it seems to come from the fact that they are often so indie-orientated that it just doesn’t have the desired energy.

You can see star power in this band, the vocalist is immense, but the overall package isn’t connecting.

It’s completely the opposite with the main support band, Lastelle though. A hugely atmospheric post-hardcore band that do the impossible, blow Acres off the stage.

Take nothing away from Acres, who are phenomenal here, but something about Lastelle just hits differently. On a personal level, highly emotional and atmospheric post is massively appealing, but when it’s delivered with the authenticity that Lastelle do, it’s even better. Playing with such an incredible amount of gusto, delivering a gobsmacking array of melody, and simply standing out as a band capable of headlining shows of this size.

In one night, Lastelle became my new favourite band.

Yet, Acres already hold a big spot in my heart, and they’re not being removed anytime soon, This is the Burning Throne tour, and that album is still on rotation nearly nine months after its release.

An album that we saw as major step up for the band. Which was pretty amazing when you consider the high position they have already attained. Acres are red hot right now, with Burning Throne engorging the flames, and shows like this adding even more fuel to the fire. Acres strength lies in how connective their music is. How effortlessly they combine massive atmosphere with an intense post-hardcore sound, and how thick and all-encompassing they are live.

It’s easy to forget how great the bands before were when Acres are on such top form. Pulling all their power from their wonderful debut album ‘Lonely World’ and the aforementioned sophomore album ’Burning Throne’, there are few chances to draw breath as even the melodic lulls are riddled with emotion. Just one glance around the crowd, tells you that Acres are connecting on a deeper level, and the expulsions of energy allow for manic moments of heartfelt, and sometimes tearful, purification.

It’s not easy to pick out one specific highlight, when Acres’ music is so profoundly impactful in its entirety. The connection between Acres and their fanbase is strong, and shows like this only serve to prove both why that is and how it will continue to grow.

Again, it must be reiterated, the future of the alternative rock and metal world is in safe hands.