Live Update: Personal Trainer – Thekla, Bristol

      Feel-good energy with the emerging indie band...

      Since experiencing their performance at G! Festival last year, CLASH has been completely taken by Personal Trainer’s energetic yet memorable songs. That show, which occurred at a playground for children, was soon followed by their sweaty, stripped-down gig at Bristol’s Rough Trade. Entering Thekla’s revered venue this Monday night, it dawned on me that it was my first time witnessing them play a full-length, full-band set. Touring in support of last year’s ‘Still Willing,’ the Dutch group was in spirited and precise form, their songs having been thoroughly tested on the road. However, before the main act, the audience enjoyed a delightfully rowdy performance from Manchester’s Westside Cowboy.

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      Riding the wave of their debut single – and only that single – the four-member band was relatively unfamiliar. With a streaming bio that simply stated, ‘B R I T A I N I C A N A,’ the audience was curious about the hype. Fortunately, the band delivered an enjoyable set, their songs reminiscent of Pavement and Built To Spill with a distinctly English twist. Special mention goes to drummer Paddy Murphy, whose Grohl-like drumming nearly took down the kit – and their short set – early on. In an unexpected conclusion, the band dove into a folk-shanty style, leaning into the mic while harmonizing and strumming an acoustic guitar. What exactly is Westside Cowboy about? It’s tough to say just yet, but they certainly captured attention.

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      Soon, Personal Trainer’s frontman Willem Smit appeared with a bright smile. While many acts proudly label themselves as ‘bosses’ or embrace a distant sense of cool, PT’s Dutch warmth was a welcome change. That’s not to suggest the six-piece plays gentle tunes – far from it. Personal Trainer’s music combines Beck-like twists. Led by Smit’s electric-acoustic, their tracks often begin with a confessional tone before bursting into vivid color. Saxophone, trumpet, and wild synth riffs injected a sense of madness into Smit’s narratives of ego, uncertainty, and surreal observations of the world. It’s incredibly enjoyable.

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      The band powered through fifteen songs, delighting the near-capacity crowd. Crowd favorites ‘New Bad Feeling’ and ‘Upper Ferntree Garden’ appeared alongside a couple of new tracks like the lovely ‘Burrows.’ At one point, a woman placed a few eggs on stage, leaving the singer bewildered, and a spilt can of Red Stripe was awkwardly cleaned up with Smit’s jumper. The title track from their second album got the now very warm boat rocking, as the band unleashed an extended jam. Guitarist Franti Marešová’s Fender Esquire roared while the band bobbed their heads in appreciation. PT was a band enjoying their own sound as much as their audience.

      For an encore, the cheerful band returned, convinced they could "make something up" for the grand finale. Indeed, it turned out to be a powerful performance of ‘The Lazer,’ the standout from their 2022 debut ‘Big Love Blanket.’ The place erupted, especially impressive considering it was a Monday night. In just over an hour, the band gained new fans and reminded their dedicated followers why their star is on the rise. They possess the tunes, the live energy, and the upbeat vibes. Clash suggests you catch them in a city near you while the venues remain intimate.

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      —Words: Sam Walker-Smart Photography: Rhys Dolman

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