Chaos and curveball covers: Nothing live in London

The Philadelphia band treated fans to an early set and album signing at Rough Trade East before heading over to Hackney’s Moth Club, a no-frills function room in the back of an ex-serviceman’s pub. It proved a perfect setting; its stage, rising barely a foot off the ground, an integral part of what was to be an intimate experience for both band and fans.

A fairly lengthy sample of wailing sirens and police radio chatter kicked off the show, with many more played in between songs as the night went on. They were often hard to make out, and as a result were perhaps less impactful than they could have been. But for both the band and many members of the audience, each sample served as a much-needed breather and a change of pace.

An early highlight came with the opening chords of Tired of Tomorrow's lead single “Vertigo Flowers”. Right on queue was the night’s first of many stage dives. The crowd erupted. Fans hung from Moth Club’s lighting rig, singing along with founder Domenic Palermo, who takes lead vocal duty on the track. Palermo was in fine form despite performing two gigs in about as many hours. His serene vocals, harmonising with those of fellow guitarist/vocalist Brandon Setta, contrasted with rolling waves of distortion and huge breakdowns, juxtaposition characterising the Nothing sound.

Old songs, including the title track from 2012 EP Downward Years to Come, were well received. New additions, including Tired of Tomorrow’s “Eaten By Worms”, were fresh enough while still feeling in some way familiar.

Then, toward the end of the show, Nothing threw a curveball. “We don’t know if you fuck with this shit over here… But we talked about doing this on the flight over… I think I only know half the lyrics,” said Palermo, introducing a blistering off-the-cuff cover of Radiohead’s “Creep”. While cynics might roll their eyes at a cover so overly played at pubs, parties and school talent shows, it really worked, and once again sent the crowd into a frenzy. The band closed with Guilty of Everything’s anthemic “Dig”, an emotional high-point for many fans, who joined in on every word, swarming the front of the stage.

You don’t need to read up on Nothing’s history to figure out that their roots lie in hardcore. It comes across in the sheer energy with which Palermo, Setta, drummer Kyle Kimball and bassist Nick Bassett (also of Whirr) play, as well as the lively crowd they attract. Over the course of the show, a microphone and stand found their way into the audience, an XLR lead was split cleanly in two, Basset’s bass strap detached repeatedly, and Palmero dived into the sweaty, surging crowd. Those who have in the past labelled them one of many derivative “shoegaze revival” bands would do well to head to one of their shows. They’ll be more likely to lose a tooth in the front row than find anyone staring at their laces.