By Laura Amelia Bujauskaite
Photo Credit: Press Shots
Powerful. Energetic. Raw.
Frontman of The Safest Place, Louis Adam (Chintzy Stetson), and guitarist, Johnny Bond, delivered an unforgettable performance at The Lower Third in Soho, London, joined by friend, and former member of Catfish and the Bottlemen, Bob Hall.
Child + the Banned opened the show with an electric performance, combining eclectic sounds with emotionally charged and rather unconventional vocal delivery, reminiscent of artists like Bjork. Their unique musical experimentation brought on a mystical element that infused their music with raw, unrefined emotion – an irreproachable blend of vulnerability and power. The band’s unorthodox use of the cello and the violin to support, yet occasionally antagonise, the vocals, created a captivating tension, amplified in their song Dominion.
The troupe did not shy away from casting light on their rebellious approach to music, subverting convention and stripping the art form to its core.
The Safest Place truly embodied the essence of the alternative/indie music genre, blending the poetic quality of indie music with the raw energy of rock. Louis Adam’s and Johnny Bond’s band, The Safest Place, embodied a delightful sleaziness that became iconic, perfectly capturing the unrefined, rebellious spirit of alternative music in its most authentic and unapologetic form.
London was lucky to hear many of the band’s new projects, with the night opening on Karate Man and Yesterday’s News. Despite these tunes being unreleased, the crowd came to life: jumping and swaying, overtaken by a surge of uncontrollable energy. The duo’s sound felt like a celebration of contradictions, where intimate lyricism clashed beautifully with a raucous, unpredictable live experience, creating an overall atmosphere of dissonant harmony that was personal and expansively communal.
By the third song, Knife’s Edge, the crowd were enamoured. It became clear that, for The Safest Place, music was more than a performance, but a form of escape and shelter – comfort found in the dizzying experiences of the real world, it serves as a ‘safe place’.
Louis’ raw and unvarnished delivery blew me away, his passion at the forefront of his performance (especially during Asleep at the Feels). The rock-and-roll energy propelled the show, with Johnny Bond’s blistering guitar riffs and Bob Hall’s mastery on drums driving the momentum forward. Yet, there was still a sense of playfulness in Louis’ relentless and energetic delivery, a wink to the audience and a crafty comment, keeping them immersed in the performance. As the night fell into high-energy chaos, the audience were vacuumed into the performance completely, bouncing up and down, hands reaching for the ceiling.
The Safest Place continued with four more unreleased tracks: Pink Cloud Syndrome, Hardy Tree, Jungle Work and Last Leaf on the Tree!
At one point, Louis jumped into the crowd, perfectly encapsulating the blend of poetry and chaos the bandhas come to represent – a willingness to break the barrier between performer and listener; inviting everyone into the moment of catharsis. The Safest Place made it clear that no one was outside the experience, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere nearly impossible to replicate.
Their lyrics offered a mix of witty, often ironic lines that drove into the deeply poetic, creating constant emotional push and pull. The dichotomy between their gritty, rock-and-roll edge and the thoughtful, somewhat self-aware, lyrics gave their music a distinct identity. The Safest Place successfully created a space where both the thoughtful and the wild could coexist.
They eventually rounded off with their latest single, Super Fucking Whatever, sending the crowd into a final frenzied eruption, now transformed into a mix of limbs and sweat. Having Louis sing right in front of you while you jumped to the beat, with Bond’s guitar shredding through the air, and Hall’s drumming stealing the spotlight, was a surreal experience – one of those moments where you caught yourself asking, ‘Was that real?’ about a million times after the gig.
The biggest takeaway from the performance was not just about the infectious hooks or virulent energy; it was about something more complex – perhaps a commentary on life, love, and the contradictions inherent in both which left you with a bittersweet aftertaste as the band walked off stage.
Afterwards, the band were lovely, chatting with fans and catching up with loved ones. I could not recommend more seeing this band if you ever get the chance. The Safest Place is definitely a name to remember and will definitely see me again!
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Laura Amelia/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Oliver Galbraith 
Tyler Whiting 
Darcy Mitchell