Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Brace yourselves for DSM IV’s gut-punching neo-goth-pop, ft Guy McKnight of noughties psychobilly faves The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Heavy-hitting alt-anthems channelling Sisters of Mercy meets Sleaford Mods in pure darkwave abandon."
Join the Headfirst mailing list for our unbiased recommendations.
A gig held at The Louisiana on Saturday 31st May. The event starts at 19:30.
THE DSM IV
Liverpool gothic alt-pop trio THE DSM IV are pleased to release their new EP, NEGATIVE UTOPIA, which is out now via local independent label heroes 9x9 Records, available on vinyl and all good digital service providers, with new single ‘PINK LADY’ also out now.
Following recent shows alongside HUMANIST, Baba Ali and ARXX, the band recently announced a new run of 2025 UK headline tour dates, with tickets on sale now.
Formed in Liverpool in 2018 by former Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster frontman Guy McKnight, THE DSM IV crystallise the ultra real and the otherworldly, bringing a focused hyperrealism to the party. Their convention-defying live performances toy with audience expectations and stimulate questions of the narratives being sold to us as news—or entertainment—all to the beat of the drum machinist.
As if pontificating from a lectern, McKnight sings and gesticulates like his life depends on it, his lyrics enticing or lacerating depending on the mood. In an age of perversion of reality, THE DSM IV poetically reflect on our world’s hypocrisies and dilemmas, with danceability, intelligence, indignation, grace & style—refreshing purity for these polluted times.
BLACK BORDELLO
Art-rock from London, fronted by Sienna Bordello, whose emotive soprano and macabre lyricism have been compared to the likes of Bjork, Kate Bush, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Spearheaded by Sienna’s operatic vocals and vivid, fragmented lyricism, their metamorphic brand of alternative rock is enchanted with elements of vaudeville, post-punk, jazz, psychedelia, gothic rock and chamber pop. Since
their emergence in 2020, they have released two studio albums which were reviewed in
CLASH, Wonderland, Loud & Quiet, Fred Perry & So Young, played on BBC Radio 6, and
one of the songs was remixed by the bassist of legendary goth group Bauhaus. Since its release and successful headline launch at MOTH club in September, their album has amassed over 50k in organic streams as well as 17k+ views on their most recent music video. They showcased at Rotterdam's Left of the Dial last autumn, and so far in 2025 they have supported Pete Doherty as well as performing multiple times at New York City's New Colossus Festival. Following a liturgy of acclaimed live shows supporting the likes of The Libertines, Goat Girl, Fat Dog, Pretty Sick and the Rebel, the band are gearing up to begin their third tour of the year as well as the recording of their third studio album, leading the group’s zealous genre-hopping into territories of trip-hop and industrial art rock.
SEIZURE SALAD
Badass feminist riot grrrls from Exeter, now decamped to Bristol and intent on ripping it a new one.
Entry requirements: 16+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Liverpool gothic alt-pop trio THE DSM IV are pleased to release their new EP, NEGATIVE UTOPIA, which is out now via local independent label heroes 9x9 Records, available on vinyl and all good digital service providers, with new single ‘PINK LADY’ also out now.
Following recent shows alongside HUMANIST, Baba Ali and ARXX, the band recently announced a new run of 2025 UK headline tour dates, with tickets on sale now.
Formed in Liverpool in 2018 by former Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster frontman Guy McKnight, THE DSM IV crystallise the ultra real and the otherworldly, bringing a focused hyperrealism to the party. Their convention-defying live performances toy with audience expectations and stimulate questions of the narratives being sold to us as news—or entertainment—all to the beat of the drum machinist.
As if pontificating from a lectern, McKnight sings and gesticulates like his life depends on it, his lyrics enticing or lacerating depending on the mood. In an age of perversion of reality, THE DSM IV poetically reflect on our world’s hypocrisies and dilemmas, with danceability, intelligence, indignation, grace & style—refreshing purity for these polluted times.
BLACK BORDELLO
Art-rock from London, fronted by Sienna Bordello, whose emotive soprano and macabre lyricism have been compared to the likes of Bjork, Kate Bush, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Spearheaded by Sienna’s operatic vocals and vivid, fragmented lyricism, their metamorphic brand of alternative rock is enchanted with elements of vaudeville, post-punk, jazz, psychedelia, gothic rock and chamber pop. Since
their emergence in 2020, they have released two studio albums which were reviewed in
CLASH, Wonderland, Loud & Quiet, Fred Perry & So Young, played on BBC Radio 6, and
one of the songs was remixed by the bassist of legendary goth group Bauhaus. Since its release and successful headline launch at MOTH club in September, their album has amassed over 50k in organic streams as well as 17k+ views on their most recent music video. They showcased at Rotterdam's Left of the Dial last autumn, and so far in 2025 they have supported Pete Doherty as well as performing multiple times at New York City's New Colossus Festival. Following a liturgy of acclaimed live shows supporting the likes of The Libertines, Goat Girl, Fat Dog, Pretty Sick and the Rebel, the band are gearing up to begin their third tour of the year as well as the recording of their third studio album, leading the group’s zealous genre-hopping into territories of trip-hop and industrial art rock.
SEIZURE SALAD
Badass feminist riot grrrls from Exeter, now decamped to Bristol and intent on ripping it a new one.
Entry requirements: 16+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Other art rock gigs
