Live Report: THUMPER at The Button Factory

Rising from the ashes of scuppered touring plans and pandemic-related setbacks, THUMPER have kicked off 2021 as they mean to go on – with a live-streamed gig from The Button Factory, packed with their trademark intensity, and raw, defiant energy.

The performance – streamed exclusively on the Hot Press YouTube Channel – arrived as an unexpected shot of rowdy revitalisation on a dark mid-lockdown Monday evening, as the acclaimed Dublin band offered fans a taste of what to expect over the coming months. With their highly anticipated debut album on the way, they've promised that 2021 will find them "releasing more music than ever before."

Since being tipped as one of the Hot Press 'Hot For 2019' Irish Acts, THUMPER have expanded their sound from"bubblegum psych through a wall of sonic death" into something decidedly more experimental – a direction they clearly intend to follow, as evidenced by their decision to open with their latest single, the stream-of-consciousness-style 'Topher Grace'.

Pushing at the boundaries of their established sound, and pulling from a wider range of unexpected influences, the performance also featured a track that didn't make it onto their upcoming album, and a brand new song written in between lockdowns, as well as a selection of live favourites.

Clearly, the disruption of the last year hasn't left THUMPER resting on their laurels as they wait out the storm. Rather, it has injected a bold new sense of defiance in their approach to both their songcraft and stagecraft – as even their more painful and pessimistic lyrics are transformed into something remarkably triumphant through the raw release of a live performance.

Re-watch THUMPER show on the Hot Press YouTube channel below:

Up next on the Button Factory series:

Monday February 1 - New Secret Weapon

This project has been part-funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media from the Live Performance Support Scheme.