Show Me The Body Deliver a Cathartic Underground Ceremony in London
Beneath an underpass in East London, post-hardcore fans packed in to witness the notorious ceremony conducted by Show Me The Body. Our master of ceremonies, vocalist Julian Cashwan Pratt, beckoned the congregation into his personal space before raising his hand in a preparatory stance to the trio of trumpets peering over the concrete balcony. Restless fans, previously fidgeting in anticipation, held out in appreciation during the unexpected, delicate trumpet-led introduction to the proceedings. It did not last.
Standing by was never going to be enough for this crowd. It is the underground scene of London, after all. Launching into ‘Eat For Peace’ was the spark that ignited the propulsive buzz. The chaotic, disjointed onslaught from the New York trio did little to discourage fans from two-stepping their way across the stage and launching themselves into the surging crowd.
Smoke machine haze twisted over the raging pit, propelled by the audacious, sweeping hair windmills of guitarist Harlan Steed. ‘Dance In The USA’ and ‘No God’ did exactly what they were intended to do. Staggering chaos in between slower-paced, potent tracks, the carefully curated setlist took fans on a journey of vulnerability and catharsis. From clambering onto the stage, risking a tarmac impact, to holding onto every lyric of ‘See You Again’ as it poured from somewhere deep within Julian, the crowd was there for every facet of the band.
As the sun set over the concrete jungle, the carnage was reignited by the stark, hard-hitting lyrics of ‘Good Time’. Reinforcing the core values of the movement through poetically introspective lyrics, Julian wore this emotional connection unapologetically. There was room for nothing other than solidarity and community, which Julian made clear as he decreed, “don’t be no pussy, no fighting mother f*cker, kiss and make up”.
Concluding his relentless pummelling session, following an awe-inspiring collaboration with our trumpet trio, drummer Nijol Benjamin hyped the crowd for the last time, drawing the ceremony to a close with ‘Finale’. With a heartfelt “thank you so f*cking much”, Julian threw the mic and was embraced by the crowd. Gratitude and admiration were mutual as he bowed into their outstretched hands.
Ravenous, the crowd erupted into chants of “one more song” and rivalled last week’s thunderstorms as the stage was struck in unison. Met with the devastation that there would be no more songs, all was not lost. Tasked with the unforgiving duty of crushing the hopes of the raucous crowd, a crew member signed off with “okay love you bye”, which pulled at the corners of many downturned smiles.
Appeased until next time, this unsatiated lot do not have long to wait before they can hear the unreleased songs again. Show me the Body’s new album, Alone Together, debuts on 10 July 2026, and based on what I heard at The Cause, it is worth a listen.
