words/photos Jennie Book

Dry Cleaning played a sold out show at San Francisco’s August Hall on January 21, with the South London foursome kicking things into high gear right out of the gate with fan favorite “Kwenchy Kups,” the second track from their excellent 2022 album Stumpwork. “Things are shit, but they’re gonna be okay,” frontwoman Florence Shaw sang to the delight of the age-diverse fans in the crowd, including the elderly solo dancer in the balcony, and the college kids trying to get a swirling mosh pit going in front of the stage. Bassist Lewis Maynard flipped his hair like a thrash metal alumnus as Tom Dowse ground it out on rhythm guitar, and drummer Nick Buxton had so much energy he could barely stay seated at his kit.

With any break between songs resulting in fans screaming “I love you!!” to the band plus more sold out shows coming up on tour, these former art school kids are set to blow up big, and it will be an adventure to hear where their innovative music takes them. In 2022 New Long Leg was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Alternative Rock Record, and it’s likely Stumpwork will be up for more of the same.