As Dork’s Summer 2026 series of shows runs to a close, the Sebright Arms plays host on a humid but beautiful July night in London. Listed as the “UPSET Takeover” night, ‘Dork’s Home For All Things Loud’, the line up certainly delivers on that promise in Bethnal Green. With only 15 tickets left the morning of the show, the 150 capacity venue was certain to sell out with rising doom punk-metal outfit Witch Fever headlining. The dungeonesque and cavernous basement offered by the pub-venue provides a fitting spot for a coven of witches to gather (and 150 excited and sweaty punters).
Venus Grrrls
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Fresh from performances at SXSW London and 2000Trees, Venus Grrrls opened the night. With praise heaped on them from all corners, including Kerrang! and Steve Lemacq, the band took to the stage walking from the awkwardly placed green room through the crowd to the “stage”, maybe better described as a slight step. The quartet kicked off with fast old school rock and roll riffs combined with synthesised effects leaking through the speakers. Tracks like ‘Divine’ and highly acclaimed new single ‘Eve’ showcase their high-octane approach to songwriting and bring a much needed energy boost to the crowd.
Vocalist Grace Kelly’s incredible voice powers through the struggling speakers as crunching guitar solos as the strong rhythm sections work in venomous support. The use of backing tracks enhance the sound and texture of the set, adding to the atmospheric theatrics during and between songs. On a night where simply raising your pint brought on a sweat, the crowd couldn’t quite match the energy of the band, but in fairness it is 33-degrees in a barely air-conditioned basement. Nevertheless, Venus Grrrls power through, commanding the attention of the room and rewarding those that got to the stage early enough to be face to face with the talented group. A set full of fun and powerful sing-a-long choruses, Venus Grrrls perform are a solid opening choice for this very intimate show. It’s clear from this brief glimpse at their repertoire and performing capabilities why they are highly praised and rising fast while excitement levels rise for their recent UK tour announcement for this autumn.
Witch Fever
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Trading arena stages from their UK/EU tour with Volbeat, which incidentally saw them go semi-viral following an interview regarding the harsh realities of live music on artists, Witch Fever walked through the crowd in the packed out basement. It’s a markedly more humble and intimate setting, feeling like a private showing for a privileged few to see a band really hitting their pomp. The quality delivered in the latest album FEVEREATEN, reflects the increasing maturity of the band and their considered approach in producing an album to take them to the next stage of their artistic journey. Having completed their headline UK tour earlier this year, with a highly active run upcoming on the festival circuit, the demand for Witch Fever is ever increasing, and rightly so.
As the group walked onto the stage the room fell silent. There’s no cheering, no hollering, just an expectant hush around the room and a laser focus. Without wasting a moment, they rip into ‘Dead To Me!’ from the latest album. A track that already feels like a Witch Fever classic despite being out for just over a year, it epitomises the aggression, passion and musicality Witch Fever brings, with velocity and trademark breakdowns. The crowd responded in kind, immediately turning the floor into a moshpit bouncing off of each other. A response that’s testament to Venus Grrrls’ job of warming them up.
In a mix of new and old tunes, ‘Burn to Hit’, ‘FeverEaten’ and a personal favourite ‘Congregation’, the group deliver a menacing, polished and professional set. But it’s not all business here, as vocalist Amy Walpole takes her customary walk through the crowd and attempts to jump back on the stage she, in her own words, “eats sh*t” (thankfully without injury) and giggles through the microphone from the floor. With their trademark crunching bass, Black Sabbath-esque guitar riffs and pounding punk drum beats, Witch Fever dominates the room and draws the full attention of every single person. The anthemic single ‘Safe’ encourages a chorus of singing along from the crowd before quickly descending into the destructive ‘I See It’, sending the crowd wild, as the bass reverberates around the room and shakes the floor.
Maybe it’s the venue and close proximity to the amplifiers, but there is a heavier and deeper sound than previous shows providing a more aggressive tone. This feels especially true during “Drank The Sap” as the abrasive breakdown kicks in, it seems to take the room by surprise, briefly pausing before returning the mosh. In any case, Witch Fever delivers an excellent set to the small but eager crowd. They come across relaxed but assured and confident in their own abilities and their back catalogue, as they prepare for upcoming festival slots at ArcTanGent and Pukkelpop. Finishing with a new favourite closer, covering Deftones’ ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ with a typical Witch Fever doomy twist, the crowd are well and truly eating from the palms of their hands. The quartet are thanked with a rapturous applause from a crowd lucky enough to see them in such a small and intimate venue. It’s the perfect Wednesday treat for their fans and perhaps the last time for a long while that anyone will be able to watch Witch Fever from inches away as this extremely talented band continues to climb the touring circuit.
Words by Luke Wain.