Review: Grove, the Croft – ‘Passion and power’

This may have been a Trinity Presents show but Grove selected the intimate confines of the Croft for their latest Bristol appearance following a slot at Idles’ Queen Square Block Party last August.

The electro-punk artist chose to return to the venue – the site of their very first headline show in Bristol – to prototype, as they put it, “a whole different style of set”.

Given the show the crowd is treated to tonight, the use of just two genres to define the artist or even, indeed, defining them solely within the limits of their musical output feels reductive.

This was a declaration of passion and power, Grove wearing their activism proudly on their sleeve and galvanising all present to get involved.

They said they were ready to “share space, energy and ideas”: all three are present tonight and the audience is here for each and every element.

© Khali Ackford

Music newcomer Key opened the night. A hip hop artist from St Paul’s, Key has said he had a calling to start exploring his creativity through music.

© Khali Ackford

Calling this and a similarly sized London date “energy chamber shows” designed for ‘small cap – big systems – max impact’ Grove had, in the runup, evoked a sense of intensity with anticipation of volume at close quarters, full immersion, loss of self.

But, while there is and will always be those elements at a Grove show, there is also a different energy here tonight.

We don’t lose ourselves, we find each other, and in doing so we’re buoyed up; ignited, we recommit to the cause. Grove shares anger and frustration, but also encourages shared laughter and joy. The fire is very much fuelled.

© Khali Ackford

“We stand on the precipice of a new world,” Grove intones as drones swell and sub bass vibrates the souls of our feet. “It may be uncomfortable, because extraordinary change is uncomfortable.”

It’s a slow burn start but the launch into Babylon Rotten sees Grove full pelt unleash their fierce defiance. Grove stalks the stage, a force of energy, their musical counterpart EJ:AKIN smouldering in smoke and shadow behind the synths.

© Khali Ackford

“I delve into my inner world, the outer world is ugly,” they vocalise, and with this show, this music, we’re given an insight into Grove’s inner world.

So much of that world is filled with love. The tracks that follow embody love in all its forms: overtly sensual, queer, passionate, platonic and, overarchingly, love for humanity and planet.

“We need love if we’re going to be ready to embrace this extraordinary change and find the power to fight the power,” they say.

© Khali Ackford

As well as love there’s fun, play and joyful activism in Been Busy, Sticky and Fuck Ur Landlord, the crowd delightedly shouting back ‘off with their heads’ for the latter which breaks down into a seemingly improv beat jam, Grove hitting out dancehall and d’n’b rhythms with their drumstick.

Later, in the spirit of collective action, they invite the crowd to shout out people, things, organisations to join to help bring about change. There’s a wealth of responses, from Bristol anti-rascists and anti-fascists to weekly free meals at BASE, Acorn housing activists and unions.

James Storm joins the stage, amplifying the already seam-bursting sound with heavenly vocals and brutalist saxophone.

The instrumentation brings new force to Break a Sweat, Grove’s latest track that they released “for those fighting for dignity under occupation. For the Filton 24 and those participating in mass disobedience.”

© Khali Ackford

It’s a raw, charged up moment that takes all the feelings of powerlessness in the face of global unrest and war crimes and funnels them into heavy, industrial beats and fuzzy bass.

Grove has made it clear they will not rest in the fight for justice.

Photo: Ursula Billington

“They’re taking the power which is our attention and harvesting it for data,” they say, harnessing the crowd’s full attention and challenges us to maintain it as, in pindrop silence, the trio’s ethereal vocal lines trip and cascade under and over each other.

They are a magnetic presence, and we are gripped.

Photo: Ursula Billington

It at times feels like a homey show in an old school venue where every voice from the crowd – whether calling out ‘nice voice’ after Storm’s first solo vocal or a breathy, involuntary ‘wow’ following the trio’s three-part harmony piece – can be heard. And it seems this is what Grove wanted.

Tonight they’ve proved themself a many-headed beast of an artist, channelling music, play, power, emotion, empathy, love and laughter.

“We are the power in this room. Noone’s coming to save us, we need to save us,” they say, and we look around and know that it’s true.

Trinity Presents the following upcoming shows:

Something Lovely at Trinity, February 12
Mia Koden + Mantra + Truant at Strange Brew on February 13
Seedling Sessions – an International Women’s Day edition at Trinity on March 8

Find all information at www.trinitybristol.org.uk

All images Khali Ackford except where specified. Banner image: Ursula Billington

Read next:

• Review: Paige Kennedy, the Louisiana – ‘The epitome of queer joy’
• Bristol’s month in Folk and Roots – February 2026
• Get to Know: Grove