Marking their second time performing in Cardiff, London-based rock band Tooth are back better than ever, ready to prove themselves as one to watch. Think the infectious energy of The Kooks mixed with the fuzzy vocals of Pixies. Tooth instantly hooked the room with heavy guitar riffs, masterfully balanced with textured vocals, that held the high energy of the set from start to finish.
A cover of Billy Idol’s quintessentially 80s hit Dancing With Myself perked ears and was a standout moment of the night – the kind of cover you could easily envisage going viral on a Radio 1 Live Lounge session or Aussie station Triple J. But it was Tooth’s crowd engagement that stood out. The hyperactive crowd had each other on their shoulders, chanting “TOOTH!” in between every single song without fail. It was impressive and surprising, in equal measure, to witness first-hand the passion and community the group generate, this early in their career.
Staying behind amongst a swarm of fans at the merch table after the show, I caught the band fresh off the stage, and they offered a phrase they’d just learned from a local fan: “Caru ti”. It was a perfect end to a night that proved the feeling is entirely mutual.
Tooth, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 13 June
words ELLIE EVANS photos SCIENTISTS OF SOUND
