In pictures: The wholesome chaos of Hot Milk’s album release piss-up at Signature Brew

It’s been a five-year wait for Hot Milk’s debut album A CALL TO THE VOID, and so to celebrate its unveiling on August 25, the band treated fans who’ve been with them since the very beginning to an extra-special release party (or, in their own words, a ‘piss-up in a brewery’).

The Manchester stars – vocalist and guitarist duo Han Mee and Jim Shaw, plus bassist Tom Paton and drummer Harry Deller – hit Signature Brew in Walthamstow on Tuesday, September 5 to completely take over the brewery with their dedicated following. And we really do mean ‘take over’: from Hot Milk graffiti and tattoos to their very own Acid Rain drink (an extremely strong Vimto seltzer which Jim boldly later downed onstage), it was a night of happily stepping into their universe and forgetting about everything else going on in the outside world.

Naturally, Han and Jim also put on a performance to mark the occasion, delivering six beautifully emotional stripped-back tracks, rather than their usual ‘blood, sweat and tears’ plugged-in approach. From glorious sing-along opener BLOODSTREAM to the partied-up finale of ALICE COOPER’S POOL HOUSE (complete with a crowdsurfer celebrating their birthday) it was absolutely ace – made all the more special by how many times Han and Jim had to pause to tell everyone how grateful they were. Aww.

Take a look at the pre-performance warm-up – featuring tattoos, lots of Acid Rain and a whole load of Hot Milk fans simply coming together to share the love for their favourite band.

And here’s what the band’s stunning acoustic show looked like.

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Then, of course, it was time to sweatily party into the night…

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Read this next:

• Hot Milk: “This is a family that we’re building. I genuinely feel connected to our fans”
• Drum’n’bass, stripteases and oranges: Life on the road with Hot Milk
• Hot Milk: “I want to put a bit of reality back in, a bit of bite, a bit of fucking attitude…”