I managed to miss most of Loveworms. Two songs. That’s what I got. Two bloody songs! Not exactly the ideal way to discover a band, particularly when what you hear makes you wish you’d been there an hour earlier. Still, those final two numbers were enough to get my attention. I enjoyed them, and I’ve already made a mental note to correct this particular failure of concert attendance. Next time, Loveworms, I’m coming for the whole gig.
Fertile Hump are familiar territory, and that’s precisely why I enjoy seeing them. I’ve caught them plenty of times, and they still deliver the goods. Last time I saw them, they were a duo, this time they were three, adding another dimension to their garage rock without losing that wonderfully scruffy attitude. All three musicians have the personality and presence to take centre stage, but Magda Kramer‘s very distinctive voice is particularly enjoyable, bringing its own character to the band’s sound. No fancy tricks, no unnecessary musical acrobatics, just raw energy and rock and roll with its boots firmly planted in the mud.
I genuinely love this band. I first discovered them in 2017, when they were supporting Me And That Man, and they’ve been on my radar ever since. Whenever they play somewhere in the Tri City, I do my best to be there. Some musical relationships just stick, and this is one of mine.
WIJ took over in front of a packed Drizzly Grizzly. Properly packed. I’d seen them once before, but this was a good opportunity to get reacquainted with a band that clearly has something interesting going on. Their music is heavy, but what makes them particularly fascinating is the world they create around it. Their lyrics draw inspiration from Slavic folklore, horror literature, strange creatures, bizarre plants and the darker corners of the natural world. Tuja Szmaragd, who writes the lyrics, has spoken about her fascination with old horror films and unusual organisms, sometimes finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. And frankly, nature seems to provide more than enough nightmare material without anyone having to make things up.
On stage, however, it’s Tuja‘s personality that really makes an impression. Her facial expressions, attitude and sheer energy give the performance an identity of its own. She commands the stage, with a very distinctive voice that is an absolute pleasure to hear. But let’s be clear, WIJ are much more than one charismatic performer. The whole band is seriously good, and those heavy riffs have plenty of punch. Their latest album, “Protisty“, released on 23 October 2026 through Piranha Music, continues their exploration of this wonderfully twisted universe. I genuinely believe WIJ deserve to be heard beyond Poland. They have the sound, the identity and the stage presence to make an impression internationally. I’d love to see them exported to other countries and given the opportunity to reach a much wider audience.
