Words and photos by: Lucy Williamson
Punk riot group The Dollies unleash their debut EP at The (Cornish Bank) Dollhouse with KrautPop! It’s a warm summer’s evening, the crowd is gathering inside the venue for what looks like is going to be a proper sweaty night of live music from Commoner, Rosie, Shoes Off and The Dollies. The lighting is dulled to dark pink, and there’s dolls dotted throughout the venue. The audience are decked out in their best dolly outfits, each hoping to snag the prize for best-dressed, to be announced at the end of the night!
Commoner
Opening for the night was solo punk artist Commoner. Based in Falmouth, Commoner took to the stage with his acoustic guitar and delivered a raw-infused set playing tracks from his latest EP, Whoopsy! His stripped-back DIY sound brought the energy of folk-punk through a more intimate, honest and authentic setting with his voice reminiscent of Frank Turner. In the crowd there are glimpses of the energy about to come for The Dollies with ceilidh dancing when he rounded up his set with a cover of ‘Bella Ciao’.
Rosie
A welcoming second opener, folk rock band Rosie gathered on stage, greeting the audience “hi everyone, we’re the parents”, the crowd cheered with excitement as the band kicked in with their first song. Rosie brought a folk-flavoured Fleetwood Mac-esque sound to The Cornish Bank with bowed violin, soft drums, progressive keys and soaring vocals. The band was brimming with energy and excitement ahead of The Dollies’ set. I for one would absolutely love to see more of this band in the local scene, and I’m sure the crowd would as well. So, this is a question for The Dollies… will Rosie be returning to the Falmouth music scene in the near future?
Shoes Off
With their latest release already turning heads, the alternative riot rock outfit once again proved to be a band to watch in the local music scene! Shoes Off brings a riff-heavy sound drenched with booming basslines and tight, thunderous drums to create this perfect recipe of aggressive, anthemic energy, layered with soaring vocals and falsetto-laced harmonies throughout every song. Their latest track, “This Is Sublime,” is always a winner, with Aisha and Caitlyn’s harmonies giving you goosebumps every time! Shout-out to the person in the crowd belting out “SUBLIME!” in Ken’s voice before the start of the performance.
The Dollies
The final interval is nearing its end, and The Cornish Bank is packed to the brim. It’s sweaty, buzzing, and the crowd are raring to go! From the moment the chords struck, it was a pretty tight squeeze to make your way to the front of the crowd with avid mosh-pit goers at the ready for an energetic performance from The Dollies. Halfway through the first track, lead singer Luigina makes her way up the stage stairs to join her bandmates for a gig they’ve been looking forward to for weeks to celebrate the launch of their debut EP ‘What Would Your Mummy Think?’ Gritted with raw emotion, belted vocals, and honest lyrics, The Dollies put on an absolute stellar show with sheer chaos from start to finish.
It’s these grassroots gigs that hold a special place in many people’s hearts. A celebration of the local music scene, and this event was certainly one for the books. You can listen to The Dollies’ new EP via KrautPop! and through streaming platforms.