Savages live up to their name at Union Transfer (photos, review, setlist)

Savages | Photo by Chris Sikich | countfeed.tumblr.comAll photos by Chris Sikich | countfeed.tumblr.com

Living up to their name, the all-female British rock quartet Savages unleashed their rough-hewn tales of love, lust, and modernity at Union Transfer on Sunday night, clawing their way into the willing patrons’ psyches with a dozen tastes of so-called “post-punk.” Clad in black and often hidden in the shadows, the Savages conjure up a mysterious air. The singular voice of Jehnny Beth seductively stabs at the ears with equal bits coarseness and intrigue. The repeat of “I am here” from the song of the same name echoes through their debut album Silence Yourself and bounced through the acoustic-friendly Union Transfer with a haunting clarity, while her hushed, yet insistent singing of “Husbands” noticeably excited the crowd. This dual-edged talent is carried far by the rest of the band’s superb musicianship, including the accomplished guitar work of Gemma Thompson, the wallop of bass lines as delivered by bassist Ayse Hassan, and the furious percussive standout in drummer Fay Milton. And despite their lack of an encore, much to the disappointment of many fans, the Savages left a lasting impression on Philadelphia that will hopefully lead to more performances sooner rather than later. See a gallery of images below, and a setlist after the jump.

Setlist
I Am Here
City’s Full
Shut Up
No Face
Waiting for a Sign
Flying to Berlin
Give Me a Gun
Strife
She Will
Hit Me
Husbands
Fuckers