On the 24th of October, Tepid Days, the alt-rock project helmed by the relentless Jamie Roberts, are dropping their debut single The Rot across all major streaming platforms. If you’re a fan of raw, angst-ridden music that cuts to the core of toxic love and self-loathing, this is a track you won’t want to miss. Blending heavy instrumentalism with lyrics that refuse to pull any emotional punches, The Rot is a break-up song for those who’ve questioned the very point of love itself. It’s more than just another “we’re over” anthem—it’s the sonic equivalent of realising your romantic ideals have started to decay from the inside out.
The song takes you into the emotional purgatory of a love gone rancid, where staying together feels just as unbearable as leaving. Through gritty guitar riffs, haunting keys, and thunderous drums, The Rot brings out a palpable sense of disgust, not just at a partner, but at the self, for allowing things to fester. Tepid Days doesn’t shy away from the messiness of these emotions; they amplify them. The track serves as a brutal exploration of the contradictions we face when clinging to relationships that should have ended long ago—gripping themes of self-loathing and desperate attachment.
A week after The Rot hits the airwaves, Tepid Days will mark its live debut with a headline show at COMMUNE in Liverpool on Halloween, 31st October. COMMUNE is a new creative bar nestled in the Fabric District, spearheaded by Charly Trombone Reed. It’s more than just a venue—it’s a meeting place for musicians, artists, and creatives to come together in a space that’s both intimate and edgy. Set within a conservatory and courtyard tucked beside an old printing warehouse, COMMUNE exudes the kind of gritty charm that perfectly matches Tepid Days’ unpolished, emotionally raw aesthetic.
With a penchant for hosting gigs, exhibitions, and all manner of creative events, COMMUNE will serve as the ideal backdrop for the band’s Halloween party. The space’s DIY ethos and down-to-earth vibe are well-aligned with Tepid Days’ own ethos of embracing imperfections, whether in love, music, or life itself. This isn’t a venue where you’ll find any glossy pretense—expect stripped-back performances that cut through to the core, much like The Rot itself.
The Halloween show will be a spectacle in its own right. Known for their unpredictable live performances, Tepid Days are bound to bring the same sense of catharsis and chaos to the stage as they do to their music. Jamie Roberts has already teased that the evening will include a best costume contest, with the winner walking away with an exclusive, one-of-a-kind, blood-stained artwork created by Roberts himself—a fittingly visceral prize for a night that’s sure to be drenched in the intensity of the band’s debut.
With doors opening at 7pm and free entry, this is an event for fans of alternative rock and anyone looking to experience a gig that feels more like an emotional exorcism than just a standard set. There will be support acts, yet to be announced, but the real star of the night will be Tepid Days’ searing live rendition of The Rot, bringing the angst, heaviness, and cathartic energy that’s become their signature.
While The Rot is undeniably a break-up song, it’s not the kind of track that focuses on two people drifting apart. Instead, it’s a break-up with the very concept of romantic love. The lyrics are a desperate reflection on the frustration and confusion that comes with staying in a relationship that’s fundamentally broken, yet still provides some twisted comfort. It digs deep into that moment of clarity where you realise you’re no longer in love with the person, or perhaps with the idea of love at all, but can’t quite figure out how to leave.
Roberts spent four years writing music and lyrics for Tepid Days, pouring his frustrations and anxieties into every chord and every line, all while haunted by the ghosts of fishmongers and cockroaches during gruelling recording sessions in a Birkenhead warehouse. The result is a song that’s as unsettling as it is cathartic—perfectly matched by the eerie, DIY aesthetic of COMMUNE. The venue’s history as a space for creatives to come together aligns beautifully with the themes of The Rot, making the Halloween show not just a live performance but an embodiment of everything the song stands for: emotional honesty, creative survival, and the inevitable decay of even the best-laid plans.
Expect an intense night of heavy instrumentals, emotional wreckage, and a full-body experience of what Tepid Days are all about. If The Rot is any indication, this is a band on the cusp of carving out their own niche in the alt-rock scene—and they’re doing it on their terms.
Tepid Days and their debut single The Rot are bringing something truly authentic to the table. The Halloween show at COMMUNE is the perfect opportunity to witness the band’s live intensity up close, in a space that thrives on creative freedom. Whether you’re drawn to the alt-rock angst, the DIY spirit of COMMUNE, or the visceral experience of a break-up song that takes aim at love itself, this is a night that promises to be unforgettable.
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