Live Review Grandmas House, Nuha Ruby Ra & more are darkly captivating for Day 2 of Hello 2022 17th January 2022

While the big C-word might’ve made attempts to scupper the first show of Hello 2022, it didn’t entirely get its own way. Instead of taking place as planned on the (somewhat eye-watering) 4th January as first announced, we’ve returned to the Old Blue Last on a Monday (we know, we know) for a slightly reworked version of the original bill. Luckily for the masses who turn out tonight, it’s just as much of a treat as the pre-planned show.

From the off, it’s a full house for the staggering Heartworms. Led by the outfit’s steely ringleader Jojo Orme - who looks the part in a striking beret and military jacket combo - theirs is a set that simmers with pent up rage, the hypnotic surface only occasionally being broken by Jojo’s scorched screams. Despite only officially having one song to their name so far - 2020’s ‘What Can I Do’ - the other tracks they showcase tonight bubble with dark synths, led by Jojo’s mesmerising but fraught spoken word vocals.

Next up, London’s Legss continue to live up to the hype that swirls around them. Introducing themselves with a wry “We’ve been Legss, London - good night!”, their set of twitching, swerving tracks - a selection taken from their recent ‘Doomswayers’ and ‘Writhing Comedy’ EPs - prove they’re a taut machine of a band. Simultaneously walking the tightrope between chaos and control, the constant switching up of tempos and frontman Ned Green’s poetic cadence works to pull you into their dark world even more deeply.