CREEPER – SANGUI-TOUR – WEDGEWOOD ROOMS, PORTSMOUTH

There is something special about seeing Creeper so close to home. With roots in Southampton, their stop at The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth felt like a hometown celebration rather than just another tour date. The short trip down the road clearly meant a lot to fans, some of whom had been queuing since early afternoon to secure a prime spot at the barrier. Chatting to the crowd revealed that many were following multiple dates on the tour, which says everything about the kind of devotion this band inspires. Creeper do not just have fans, they have a loyal and ever growing cult following.

Opening the night were The Howling, a band whose aesthetic and sound make them a perfect match for the headliners. There has already been plenty of chatter comparing them to My Chemical Romance, and it is not hard to see why. If Creeper and My Chemical Romance were somehow fused together, the result would not be far off what The Howling are doing right now. Considering they only formed last year and have just a handful of songs released, their thirty minute set felt impressively complete. Their stage presence was striking from the outset, led by a frontman whose look and energy strongly echoed Gerard Way in his Revenge era.

As is often the case in Portsmouth, the crowd took a little while to warm up, but The Howling were more than up to the task. By the midpoint of their set, they had the room clapping along and fully engaged. A bold cover of “Like A Prayer” by Madonna proved to be a turning point, winning over anyone who had not yet been convinced. By the end of their set, they had undoubtedly gained a wave of new fans and left a strong impression as a band to watch.

Then came the main event. Creeper are currently on their ‘Sangui-tour’, celebrating their albums ‘Sanguivore’ and ‘Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death’. The atmosphere shifted the moment “A Shadow Stirs” began to play over the speakers, its spoken word introduction delivered by goth icon Patricia Morrison. One by one, the band members emerged in near darkness, each entrance met with a roar from the crowd that only grew louder with anticipation.

Opening with “Mistress of Death,” Creeper wasted no time in reminding everyone why they have built such a passionate following. As the lights came up, the attention to detail in their presentation became clear. Black and white face paint, streaks of blood at the mouth, and matching leather jackets created a cohesive vampiric aesthetic that tied perfectly into their current era. Frontman Will Gould stood out with an eye patch, adding another layer to the band’s theatrical storytelling.

That detail paid off when, after the opening number, Gould slowly lifted the patch to reveal a bloodied red eye beneath. It was a striking visual moment and a clever nod to the band’s lore, drawing the audience further into their world. From there, the performance never let up. The entire band moved with purpose across the stage, creating a sense of constant motion that made it difficult to look away.

One of the standout elements of the night was how the band shared the spotlight. Hannah Greenwood stepped away from the keyboard at several points to take centre stage, and her performances on “Lovers Led Astray” and “Headstones” were highlights. Her vocals were powerful and commanding, and the rest of the band gave her space to shine. When Gould briefly exited the stage, she took full control for “Razor Wire,” delivering a performance that underlined just how much talent exists within this group.

Another memorable moment came with Jake Fogarty stepping forward for a drum solo. It was not just a showcase of skill but also a smart pacing decision, giving the rest of the band a moment to recharge without losing momentum. It is this kind of thoughtful structuring that allows Creeper to maintain such high energy throughout their set.

As the show moved towards its closing stretch, the tone shifted. Gould addressed the audience to speak about grief, acknowledging how differently it affects each person. He dedicated “More Than Death” to anyone in the room who had lost someone, and the impact was immediate. The crowd fell almost completely silent, hanging on every word. It was a deeply emotional moment, with Gould’s vocals carrying a raw intensity that resonated throughout the venue.

After leaving the stage to chants of “three more songs,” the band returned for a two song encore. Those familiar with the setlist already knew what was coming, but that did nothing to dampen the excitement. “Further Than Forever” and “Cry To Heaven” brought the night to a triumphant close, with the crowd singing back at a volume that nearly matched the band. The energy in the room surged one last time, ending the show on a genuine high.

Having spent the past few years touring relentlessly alongside acts like Ice Nine Kills and Hawthorne Heights, Creeper have honed their live performance into something truly special. There is a sense that a brief pause for new material may be on the horizon, which makes shows like this feel even more important. For anyone with the chance to see them soon, it comes highly recommended. With their distinctive aesthetic, undeniable musical ability, and fiercely loyal fanbase, Creeper look destined for even bigger stages when they return.