Endorsee headline with support from Soulgrief and Contraptions | Sheffield 21/01/2025
April 24 2025 | Written By Phoebe Needham Chandler
On January 21st, heavy rock two-piece Endorsee played their debut headliner gig at Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield. Supported by Soulgrief, an extreme metal band from Halifax, and Contraptions, an experimental ‘skacore’ band from Sheffield, fans of heavy music were in for an exceptional treat.
Soulgrief took to the stage first, kicking off the evening with an exhilarating start. Drawing on macabre themes such as loss, torment, anguish, and eroticism, this aggressive sounding three-piece promises a thrilling show. Soulgrief’s music can be described as ‘condensing the universal anguish of the human condition into aural instillations’, a powerful notion that shines through during live performances. Exhibiting what can most accurately be described as a cataclysmic sound, Soulgrief effortlessly creates a dark, foreboding atmosphere, tantalizing the audience with shrieking vocals and distorted guitars. The band effectively captures the essence of the black metal genre whilst maintaining a distinctive ambience, setting them apart from other metal bands.
Taken by Silvertreehouse
Sheffield-based band Contraptions played second, wowing the audience with an idiosyncratic experience. Combining noughties metal with ‘prog/ska’ rhythms, Contraptions truly are a ‘cutting edge fusion of chaos and melody’. This lively 5-piece prides themselves on pushing boundaries and redefining genre, providing a unique sound highlighted by the potent vocality of a saxophone. Influenced by bands such as Oingo Boingo, Avenged Sevenfold, and Rivers of Nihil, Contraptions demonstrate the importance of exploring different genres when creating music. During live performances, the band exudes an infectious energy which captivates the crowd and leaves listeners aching for more. The whole room buzzed with enthusiasm for the entirety of Contraptions’ set on January 21st, making them a strong recommendation for experimental-music lovers.
Eager to be playing their debut headliner gig, Doncaster-based two-piece Endorsee bewitched the audience once again with their notably sinister sound. Displaying an enigmatic stage presence like no other, Endorsee encapsulates the stunning otherworldliness of Lovecraftian horror in musical form, indulging watchers and listeners in a powerfully stimulating experience. This talented duo’s use of gritty vocals, intense guitar tones, and heavy drums create a raw, eccentric sound, whilst simultaneously harbouring a spine-chilling ambience. Described as invoking ‘a plague of rhythmic terror washing over the listener like a thousand waves of cosmic dread’, Endorsee’s focus on atmosphere proves effective, as crowds remain deeply fixated all throughout the experience.
Sidney & Matilda, located in the heart of Sheffield, is known to host gigs for a broad range of talented local artists, especially those recently emerging in Yorkshire’s music scene. Providing an offbeat, quirky venue with an industrial vibe, Sidney & Matilda is an excellent spot for lovers of alternative music. With energetic performances from bands like Endorsee, Sheffield residents are strongly encouraged to attend future Sidney & Matilda gigs, and heavy music fans are strongly encouraged to check out the latest releases from Endorsee, Contraptions, and Soulgrief on Spotify and Bandcamp.
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