English rockers Black Midi performed recently at the Howard Theatre, and an excellent time was had by all.

Micaela Cerball was there to photograph the show!

The following is adapted from Black Midi’s press materials.

Black Midi released their latest album, Hellfire, last year via Rough Trade. Hellfire is the trio’s third studio album, and Black Midi divided up their June 13 show at Howard Theatre pretty well between it and their previous two albums. — Schlagenheim and Cavalcade.

Early in the show, Black Midi performed “Welcome to Hell” from the new album, setting the tone for the show.

“Welcome To Hell” tells the story of a shell-shocked soldier’s excess and military discharge. The setting is a far-off military campaign — an exotic coastal town, commandeered by the invading army and swarming with soldiers. It is nighttime; erratic men rush up and down the strip in various stages of inebriation, neon signs light up the bars, and out of their open doors waft wisps of indeterminate smoke. The track is soundtracked by funky guitar sections, driving horns and a progressively snarling vocal. Its accompanying video was directed by Gustaf Holtenäs.

Watch the official music video for “Welcome to Hell” by Black Midi on YouTube:

Written in isolation in London after the release of 2021’s Cavalcade, Hellfire builds on the melodic and harmonic elements of its predecessor, while expanding the brutality and intensity of their debut, Schlagenheim. As Greep describes it: “if Cavalcade was a drama, Hellfire is like an epic action film” that delves into overlapping themes of pain, loss and anguish. It is their most thematically cohesive and intentional album yet.

Black Midi remain on a USA tour through July 8. Catch them near you!

Here are some photos of Black Midi performing at Howard Theatre on June 13, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Micaela Cerball.