Wichita music fans were treated to a mix of local talent and visiting bands at the WAVE on November 18th. Called “Pests in the Midwest Fest” the show featured two bands hailing from Wichita primarily, The Cavves and Social Cinema as well as Pronoun from Brooklyn, NY and the headliner Slothrust from LA. It was the latest iteration of quality music in Wichita’s scrappy alternative music scene.

Social Cinema started the show loud with their fuzzy and funky style that has become their signature. Going on shortly after 6pm, they were early on in the night but this did not prove to be an issue attendance-wise. Social Cinema set the mood right with deep cuts “Was it Ever That Easy?” and “Star Quality”. The room was filled with fellow midwest pests familiar with the group and their little rat feet were certainly moving. After the band finished their set with “Brown Paper Bags & Funny Faces”, the room was primed for the next local favorite to hit the stage.

The Cavves’ reputation precedes them in Wichita, as they came up in the underground scene when they were in high school and have played bigger and bigger shows in the years since. This night, they had a surprise in store for their fans in attendance in the form of a new bassist. Justin Labadie appeared in an 80s tracksuit ready to sweat out some nice basslines, and he delivered. Without skipping a beat, new bassist and all, they played crowd pleasers like “Somersault” and “Vegan Queen”.

Next was the band hailing from Brooklyn, Pronoun. Appearing in jumpsuits, they made the impression that they did not come to play. The three piece certainly left with new fans as they fit well in the lineup. Their progressive style of alternative rock once again got the midwest pests all riled up as the night was in full swing by this point. After delivering solid renditions of “you’re not trying at all”, “sadie”, and finishing with “run” the room was buzzing and ready for the headliner.

Slothrust has made a name for themselves on the alternative scene due in large part to their live performances. Their set at “Pests in the Midwest” was no exception as they were successful in achieving liftoff for the crowd. Lead guitarist and vocalist Leah Wellbaum was met with curdling screams from the crowd when she took the stage. Starting the show off with “Surf Goth” gave the people what they wanted. What made the set unique was the increased intimacy between Wellbaum and her audience, as she regaled the crowd with the story behind the song “The Next Curse”. The song came to her during the LA wildfires of 2020 as she was able to look straight into the sun as it was blocked out with thick smoke. She details the simultaneous beauty and terror of that moment and how it was translated into the song.

“Pests in the Midwest” is something that will not soon be exterminated in this area of the country. Shows like these prove that there are hungry fans of alternative and underground music in Wichita and surrounding areas. The more the bands from here grow and flourish, the more important a tour stop in Wichita will become. So get in while you still can, the pests are waiting.

Review & Photos by: Mitchell Arias-Elmore

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Slothtrust Rock Out at The WAVE in Wichita, Kansas