Heathen Apostles

Heathen Apostles are returning to The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth on 9 July 2026. They will be supported on the night by The Devil's Damned Stringband. This appearance marks another visit to the city for the Los Angeles-based group, who have been active since 2013.

The band was formed by vocalist Mather Louth, known for her work with Radio Noir, and Chopper Franklin, a veteran of the rock 'n' roll scene with a history that includes time with The Cramps and the Mau Maus. Together, they have developed a sound they describe as 'gothic Americana'. This style fuses the imagery of the southern gothic tradition with elements of bluegrass, blues, and gypsy jazz. Their musical approach is informed by a diverse set of influences, ranging from the post-punk sounds of Bauhaus and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds to the folk-punk energy of The Pogues, alongside the classic blues and country foundations of Howlin' Wolf, Loretta Lynn, and Bessie Smith.

The current lineup performing on this tour includes Luis Mascaro on violin and George Pearson on double bass. The inclusion of these instruments helps define the band's specific texture, moving away from standard rock instrumentation to something that feels more rooted in the traditions they draw from. Critics have often pointed to the band's ability to evoke the specific, dark atmosphere of traditional murder ballads and memento mori themes, which has helped them carve out a distinct space within the fringe roots genre. Their discography has been consistently noted for this thematic consistency, focusing on the darker, more melancholic side of American roots music.

Tickets for the show are priced at £17.00, with an additional £1.70 service charge. It is a chance to see the band perform their blend of roots music live in Portsmouth, continuing their work in the gothic Americana scene.