Belfast trio Chalk began their UK, EU, and Irish tour in Glasgow’s King Tuts Wah Wah Hut just shy of a week since the release of their third EP Conditions III via Nice Swan Records. The EP presents a marked evolution of their techno post-punk sound and provided a thrilling insight into what was to follow onstage tonight.
Fellow Belfast band Makeshift Art Bar opened proceedings. Already making plenty of their own waves, they perfectly complemented Chalk. The four-piece released their debut EP Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading in January and took to the stage ready to grab the opportunity to shine, and shine they did. The single ‘Bedwetter’ is a highlight, opening with twitchy, echoey guitars before expanding with a thumping drum beat and a vocal delivery which was gloriously understated and yet still full of introspective emotion. The intriguing addition of a lap steel guitar, played horizontally with the pitch altered by a steel bar, or indeed a screwdriver on this occasion created another layer of sonics to the overall sound. Makeshift Art Bar may only have been releasing music since October 2023 but are shaping up to have a busy 2025. They join Chalk in Leeds, Manchester and London, and having already played Borderlines Festival in Dublin. They have announced further festival dates including The Great Escape, Sheffield’s Get Together, and Sicily’s Ypsigrock Festival in August.
And so to Chalk. Ross Cullen (vocals), Benedict Goddard (guitar, synths) and Luke Niblock (drums) came onstage to ‘Leipzig 87′ the opening track from the new EP, and proceeded to blow us away. The first 20 minutes was a bombardment, a complete sensory overload, such was the euphoric propulsion of the music. This reviewer attempted to keep a track of the songs but failed due to being completely caught up in the moment. There is a hint of Underworld on songs such as ‘Afraid’ but Chalk bring something else, an added edge, a raw element which pushes the electronic aspect of their music into a different territory. There were tracks from all three of the Conditions EPs. Included in the set were‘Static’ with its striking lyrics“Searching for something to do. Just to keep myself right”, ‘Asking’ with its crisp percussive opening and building tension, and ‘Them’ all twitchy bleeps and beeps, intense atmosphere until the haunting delivery of the lyrics “You never look at me like that.” All three tracks were from their first EP demonstrating the quality of the music Chalk produced from the very beginning.
The trio met while studying film at Queen’s University in Belfast and there is a cinematic quality to their music which is amplified when experienced live. The three-piece somehow fill the stage with both the music and the performance. Ross Cullen is a charismatic frontman, prowling back and forth, up on the barriers, and within the crowd, at one point right at the back of the venue thus ensuring all were involved in the show. It was also good to see the drums set up at the side but nearer the front of the stage, Luke Niblock’s pounding beats closer to the crowd. Benedict Goddard (guitar, synths) swayed around the stage as he played guitar. During 2024, Chalk had a number of notable support slots including Idles and Sprints. They also played countless festivals across Europe. Those experiences have obviously been priceless as they more than held their own on the bigger stages. The lessons learnt they brought to King Tuts and it was utterly mesmerising. The current single ‘Pool Scene’ includes the line “Without you I’ll never learn”. It’s worth noting that this music takes hold but the lyrical content of Chalk’s songs reflect the human condition, something that touches us all.
Photo credit: Elliot Hetherton
It felt like an utter privilege to see Chalk in this intimate room. The crowd were buzzing afterwards, everyone was talking, sharing what they had just experienced, which somehow felt more than a gig. The Conditions era may be over with the release of their third EP but one thing is absolutely certain, Chalk are only just getting started. Tonight wasn’t just next level, it was at least five levels up. Do catch them on this tour if you can, and be prepared to wonder just how it is possible to make music such as this which strikes at the very core of your being.
Chalk tour continues through March and April in UK, EU and Ireland. For full details please check here.
For more information on Chalk please check their facebook and instagram.
