The Black Heart in Camden, London, is a well-known venue, nestled in a side street. Over the years, it has hosted bands both big and small, and is an integral part of our grassroots community. On the eve of 7th March 2025, Bitter Kisses took to the stage to perform their first London headline show - and they did not disappoint.

Bitter Kisses brings a genre-bending statement with every live performance, embracing darkness and aggression within their poppy undertones. A statement accurately reflected on their merch “pop music you can beat your friends up to”. They have energy, personality, and a “no-shits-given” policy. The crowd moves with them, whether they are BK veterans or newbies, and their lyrics delve deep.

Opening the night was “Loveless”, a newer song which toys with the idea of love not existing as an emotion, delivered in a provocative yet explorative way. Band members Gemma and Thom compliment each other’s vocals for this track, adding the feeling of different perspectives in their respective parts. Gemma’s parts give off this idea of marketing a replacement for love, in a dark and Stepford Wives way. Thom chimes in with a more abrupt and sinister vibe, giving off imagery of a conveyer belt business world, where love must be bought.

Other tracks included “Doctor’s Note”, “Social Demons”, and a few surprise new ones. Nonetheless, people were moving. Heads were banging, hair was flipping, and feet were leaving the floor. The band matched this energy throughout, jumping on stage and spinning their guitars around.

“Doctor’s Note” gave the crowd some respite, with its softer and emotional tempo. Again, the lyrics were deep and resonating, touching on themes around mental health - but also elaborating them into a narrative. The song makes me think of an asylum, filled with wrongly admitted patients that seek freedom and comfort from their struggles. The song has a calming element, which lulls you into it before revealing its more baleful truth. For those that knew the words, it became a sing-along.

“Social Demons” was the most energy-fuelled track of the night, delivering on all fronts. The room became a wave of jumpers, dancers, and singers, as the band controlled the crowd with their impressive song writing and stage presence. The experience you get from Bitter Kisses beats a lot of decades-established bands, as they involve the crowd so much during their performances.

On top of all this talent is a humbling team, happy to create jokes with each other during sets. From replacing guitar strings on stage in 1 minute 40 seconds, removing jackets, to jumping in with the crowd, Bitter Kisses have executed something profoundly unique in music and live performance.

For fans of Vukovi, PVRIS, and Queens of the Stone Age

You can find their website here.

Review written by: Courtney Wallace

Review: BITTER KISSES - HEADLINE LONDON, 7th March

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