Heartworms delivered a mesmerising, high-intensity set at Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire, blending gothic post-punk with raw intensity. Jojo Orme’s commanding presence and razor-sharp performance left the crowd captivated, proving the band’s rising reputation is well-earned.
There was real excitement in the air at Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire as the lights went out and Heartworms took the stage with the cramped basement venue heaving with bodies, eager to witness frontwoman; Jojo Orme’s particular brand of gothic post-punk that’s been steadily generating buzz across the UK.
First up was She’s in Parties, serving the busy room with a fresh indie-pop set. Angelic and Cherish were two standouts in a well-rehearsed, excellent set. The crowd gave them a great reception.
The excitement for the headliners stepped up when, with the lights still out, the desolate and brooding In the Beginning announced the band’s arrival. It was immediately clear that we were in for something special. The band stalked onto the stage with military precision. Orme, dressed in a long black coat, her piercing gaze sweeping across the crowd with cool detachment.
With no ceremony, the band crashed into Just to Ask a Dance. Heartworms wasted no time establishing the evening’s mood – a fresh take on Joy Division’s bleakest moments and early Siouxsie and the Banshees but filtered through a distinctly modern lens. Orme’s voice cut through the murk like a blade, each syllable delivered with icy determination as she gripped the microphone stand like it might try to escape.
The set leant heavily on material from Glutton for Punishment but next up was the popular Retributions for an Awful Life and Consistent Dedication from the 2021 EP A Comforting Notion. The audience was transfixed and absorbed by the sharp well-rehearsed performance from the band. There was something hypnotic about watching Orme command the stage, her movements mechanical yet fluid, while the band behind her created a constant vortex of sound that felt at the same time precise and chaotic.
What was particularly impactful about Heartworms playing live was how the songs had an extra dimension compared to their recorded counterparts. May I Comply reveals layers of colour that aren’t immediately apparent on the album, with the rhythm section driving the song forward relentlessly.
One of the night’s highlights was the spoken word Beat Poem. It started with a quiet determination rising in volume and aggression as the verse was repeated until Orme was screaming the words into the faces of the crowd which was transfixed by her passion. The audience stood silently, then roared in appreciation. It was electric.
Between songs, Orme remained largely silent, allowing the music to speak for itself. This approach only enhances the mysterious aura surrounding the band – they were there to perform, not to chat, and the audience respected that tacit agreement. When she does address the crowd, it’s with staccato efficiency: “Thank you. This is called Extraordinary Wings.”
The set reached its conclusion with recent single Warplane. Orme delivered the final verses with such intensity it felt like a personal accusation directed at each audience member individually.
The delighted crowd called for an encore, and Heartworms didn’t disappoint. First up was the title track of Glutton from Punishment followed by the high-energy dance track, Celebrate. Fittingly the last track Smugglers Adventure, was another highlight.
As the final notes reverberated around Cab Vol’s low ceiling, Orme swept off the stage, and there was a moment of appreciative silence before the applause began. Heartworms managed to live up to the hype whilst suggesting much more to come.
In an era where post-punk revivalism often feels derivative or nostalgic, Heartworms stands apart by pulling together familiar elements with genuine originality. This performance confirmed what the growing legion of fans already suspected – this is a band creating something vital and new.
Words: Graeme White @head_in_the_bass_bin
Pictures: Rose McEnroe @rosemcenroephoto