DIE QUIETER PLEASE is a London-based literary magazine that specialises in bold flash fiction and evocative poetry. Its latest issue explores the theme of ‘the point of no return’. According to the editors: “The works in DIE QUIETER PLEASE 002 find people and things at the point of no return. A man experiences the transcendental in his inflatable hot tub. A woman returns to her seaside home to confront monsters real and unreal. Lovers quarrel within earshot of a beast. The wrong person is transformed into a pig. None find a way back from what they encounter.”

The launch party was a vivid showcase of raw imagination and experimental literature and music. Readings from selected contributors brought the new issue’s pages to life, while a live performance by the specially formed Die Choir – helmed by Black Midi’s Seth Evans – wove atmosphere and sensation throughout the venue. The energy continued into the late hours with an electrifying set from Glasgow’s DJ Maicol.

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The evening featured the debut of Die Choir, a one-night-only musical ensemble whose compositions were created specifically to accompany the readings. Under Seth Evans’ direction, the group – featuring Jack Merrett of Famous, Danny Sanders, and Daniel Wackett- offered a soundscape that was as surreal and compelling as the words it underscored. Their short set following the readings ignited the audience, sending the crowd into motion.

Seth “Shank” Evans, the band’s director, is a major centre of the British experimental music scene. As a touring pianist/keyboardist of legendary Black Midi and recent involvement in British art-rock band HMLTD, Evans is remains at the forefront of the UK’s DIY-music scene. Evans was joined by Jack Merrett, the lead singer and songwriter of London-based band Famous. Since emerging from the Brixton Windmill scene in 2016, the band have since released their debut album “Party Album” in October of 2024.

The combination of these Evans and Merrett with Danny Sanders and Daniel Wackett’s fluid and experimental compositions and musicality produced the perfect accompaniments to the live readings. The novel nature of the performance of DIE CHOIR cemented the evening as truly unforgettable.

Falling on the same night of the 2024 BRIT awards, Wunderhorse took to the stage last Saturday to rapturous applause. The legendary 700-year-old pub announced the secret set just hours before the group were scheduled to perform, causing fans to scramble to purchase last-minute tickets. Fronted by singer-songwriter Jacob Slater, his distinctive rough and ready vocals and razor-sharp lyricism are hard to shake off. Slater’s gritty on-stage persona is reminiscent of blistering American garage bands, causing him to launch into a series of rage-fuelled outbursts, only to lose him again in a 90s psychedelic fog.

The Hertfordshire-born musician had made the decision to exit his old band Dead Pretties in 2017, a path that would eventually lead him to form his next project Wunderhorse, releasing their debut, critically-acclaimed album ‘Cub‘ in October 2022, a beautiful yet bloodied catalogue of teenage misadventure. The past two years have seen Slater build up a fair amount of mileage, having scored not only glowing album reviews and international recognition, but rather ironically his first ever acting role as Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook in Danny Boyle’s tv miniseries Pistol.

A multifaceted writer and instrumentalist, Slater has also curated his own separate solo project, releasing his first ever record ‘Pinky, I Love You‘ in August 2023, another deeply personal and tender account of youth driven by a rousing, prog-rock sound. On February 5, the band announced they will be performing at Isle of Wight, TRNSMT, Boardmasters and Reading and Leeds festival this summer.

As of last weekend, they also shared they will be headlining Dot To Dot Festival in May alongside Irish electronic duo Jockstrap, and Brighton’s The Great Escape festival accompanied by other major acts such as Faye Webster and SOFTPLAY. Great Escape Fest is known for showcasing the biggest and brightest up and coming artists from around the country, with over 150 acts set to take part in different venues across the city.

Wunderhorse took to Instagram last month to lift the lid on new music, revealing they are currently in the process of recording their sophomore album, simply commenting: “Back on the road in March, new music in tow”. The four-piece will be supporting English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna on his 2024 UK tour this month, kicking things off at Cardiff University’s Student Union on March 23. You can purchase tickets here.