Where We Sleep
Hope & Anchor, London
★★★☆☆

THE small stage at Islington’s Hope and Anchor belies the long history of notable bands that have trodden the boards, ranging from The Stranglers to The Damned, U2, The Cure, The Jam and Madness to name just a few.

Having played with a range of bands, it is at this esteemed venue that Where We Sleep – AKA multi-instrumentalist Beth Rettig – plays her debut solo performance.

Coming on stage with a single bass guitar, she’s backed by synth and loop driven electronic beats, as she showcases six post-punk goth edged songs covering vulnerability, heartbreak and reinvention.

Set opener Lullaby sets out her stall, there’s a deep bass booming and her voice soars over the top as the beats remain low in the mix. It’s enchanting with the vocals and bass combining to envelop the listener.

Follow on track Control has echoes of Siouxsie of the Banshees, some Garbage and even a little Joy Division. And the Peter Hook like bass does come to the fore as the set goes on.

Overall, it’s dark, electronic rock with a gothic subtext that melds into post-punk defiance.

Although she does seem more pared back live, the layers in Broken Bones are less in your face, but that does allows the voice and main riff to shine. There’s potential for more, but before the set is truly able to catch fire it is over.

With new album The Arsonist due in June – mixed by Guy Fixsen who has worked with My Bloody Valentine, Lush and The Breeders – there should be plenty more material to come.

As such this short set is more of an introduction, but on the basis of these six songs there’s more than meets the eye and ears. Given the right kindling, this flame could burn bright. 

Where We Sleep will play Bread and Roses, Clapham (Loud Women) March 26
The Arsonist will be released by Not The Sleeper Records, June 5 2026