The Whistling Heads Bologna (Freakout Club) - 16 November 2023

I learned of the existence of The Whistling Heads at the Fontaines DC concert in March 2022 at Alcatraz in which Alberto wore a t-shirt of my beloved Cure.

I have followed their path ever since.

At the end of August their first album "Dull Boy" was released, with the Disasters by Choice label. Given the excellent singles released, I immediately purchased the vinyl and found confirmation that these 4 boys from Messina have something to spare.

Now I don't remember when I learned that they would play here in Bologna but... what better opportunity to verify, in a live performance, my initial impressions?

Sure of being the oldest (read oldest) in the club, I arrived at the Freak out at 9pm and met the guys almost immediately.

I get the vinyl signed and we chat about various past concerts (Shame, Fontaines etc...) and future ones (Idles).

My impression is of four good guys full of enthusiasm.

At around 10pm, maybe even 10.30pm, they take the stage with a small audience there for them.

Alberto, right from the start, seems to me to be an excellent fontman accompanied admirably by Samuel on bass, Ziffo on drums and the "elder" of the group, Santino, on guitar.

They're not the classic rehearsal room guys on a Wednesday night with friends to strum something... The Whistling Heads know what they're doing!

They have the energy you have at 20 or when you have a great passion, well, they have both!

They are not immature and, perhaps, they are not in the profession, but I see them well enough to seriously attempt the path to international success.

Besides the high musical level and the charismatic stage presence, the boys are really good at backing songs.

It's clear that the kids are having fun and are at ease on the stage.

They perform 15 truly engaging post punk pieces.

10 of the "Dull Boy" album:

"Magpie"

"TV Show"

"Peaceful Warning"

"Keep Safe"

"Brand new Friend"

"Not funny at all"

"Teen Cliche"

"Denial"

"October"

"Shoot shoot"

blackberries:

"Prove me wrong"

"La la la"

"Well...I mean"

"Lullaby Lady"

"Raw"

The latter two as BIS.

Both the lights and the fact that they don't stay still for a moment, photos and videos don't do much.

However, now that I think about it, I took photos with Fontaines, Idles etc and not with them...you guys owe me a photo together!!!

If I haven't misunderstood, and correct me if I'm wrong, the boys started and were discovered by the owner of Retronouveau, a place in Messina, which is their "Mike the pies" (a place that hosted Fontaines DC in their early days) ?

I wish him so with all my heart.

In the meantime, you can go and listen to them both on the various platforms but, above all, I recommend you live.