An Evening of Melodical Alchemy

When I arrived at the main stage, the old town street was already packed. I heard TTSSFU before I saw them. Their ethereal sound floated over the crowd, drawing me in instantly. I wanted to move closer to the stage—not just for the writing, but because something about them genuinely captured my full attention. Their appearance, too, was magnetic. The band members, dressed in crisp white shirts and black ties, complemented front-woman and songwriter Tasmin Stephens’ own iconic look.

TTSSFU conjured an emotionally raw atmosphere. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

In her white slip dress, black boots, and blonde wig, she sang with an emotional rawness that cut through the air. Her voice was siren-like, a haunting melody paired perfectly with the eerie guitar sounds. The entire set seemed to build towards one inevitable climax. Stephens screamed out her frustrations, ripped off her wig, and stormed off the stage. Without a doubt, it was one of the most powerful exits I’ve ever witnessed.

TTSSFU. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

A typical sight at Musikfestwochen in Winterthur's old town.

Next up was Chalk. It felt as though my dream-like state simply carried on. Their performance was nothing short of a dark and gritty surrealist masterpiece—part psychedelic odyssey, part raw indie exploration. The strobing lights and heavy reverb created an atmosphere that made you feel disoriented—but in the best possible way. The crowd, hypnotised, swayed and danced as one, pulled into the swirl of it all.

bby and Chalk rip through Zurich‘s Exil ClubLondon‘s bby and Belfast-based Chalk played at the m4music festival. Notes from two savage shows.Negative WhiteJanosch TroehlerChalk's Ross Cullen. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

Ross Cullen’s vocals, though occasionally indistinct, had a raw, almost otherworldly quality. It didn’t matter that I could barely make out a word he was singing (or speaking?) because his delivery felt like a primal force—an emotional outpouring that communicated far more than words could ever convey.

Chalk. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

The final and main act of the evening was Idles. Within the first ten seconds of their set, the mosh pit had already begun to take shape. The crowd’s energy was as electric as ever. As was the band’s. It had been a long time since I’d seen musicians so passionate, so alive on stage. Each member seemed to have their own signature moves, adding to the chaos and excitement.

Joe Talbot and his mates delivered an intense performance. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

Between the guitarists Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan’s wild crowd-surfing antics—including Bowen running around an empty fountain turned festival bar and chugging beer—there were also some genuinely heartwarming moments. Like when lead singer Joe Talbot made a heartfelt tribute to his bandmates, thanking them for supporting him through hard times. Or when the band and the crowd united to chant “Free Palestine”, creating an assertive sense of unity.

More reports on artists tackling the big questions live on stage?

Subscribe to the Negative White newsletter.

Subscribe

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Crowd-surfing action. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

Their angry, thundering drum and bass lines mixed beautifully with their themes of vulnerability, inclusivity, and resilience—creating an empowering, electrifying experience that left everyone buzzing long after the last note.

Idles. Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

Credits: Evelyn Kutschera

Join Negative White

We believe music is better when shared with others.

Subscribe

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.

No spam, only music. Unsubscribe anytime.