An Intimate Evening with Witch Post
5.14.26 - Amsterdam, NL
Witch Post, the collaboration between American musician Alaska Reid and Scottish artist Dylan Fraser, is a duo that knows how to create a space that feels sacred. On a brisk Thursday evening in Amsterdam, they have the audience at Doka, a limited capacity (literally) underground venue inside the Volkshotel, completely wrapped around their fingers.
The no frills gig begins with "Dreaming," an aptly titled track off their 2025 EP Beast. Immediately, I’m swept up in their world. The call-and-response, conversational nature of many of their songs makes it easy to get lost in the intricate stories they’re weaving. After the enchanting kickoff, we hear another tune from their first EP. "Rust” ups the energy and brings some angst into the air.
Reid, hailing from Montana, is soft-spoken and completely captivating. She introduces the first few tunes and pulls much of the focus on stage. When she fully goes for it vocally, she’s reminiscent of Alanis Morissette. There are moments where she delivers tongue and cheek lyrics as poetry, more speaking than singing. Again, it brings to mind that 90s, badass female rocker era. Almost as if you can feel the influence of Ani DiFranco and Fiona Apple swirling in the air. It’s enthralling.
Fraser is at first more understated. That’s not to say his vocals aren’t just as arresting. His range is impressive. I discover he’s actually carrying some harmonies that I had assumed were Reid’s vocal when listening at home. Put simply: his tone is gorgeous. Eyes closed and fully immersed in the music, he takes the reins a few songs in when he describes the process behind “Witching Hour.” (A personal favorite of mine from their latest EP, Butterfly). This is one of those songs that “just happened,” he details, sharing that they lit a candle in Montana, and it came together in one night. As the title suggests, the music is spellbinding. The heavy melody contrasts with their soft harmonies. It sounds even better live.
As the show continues, they both seem to loosen up. Singing more directly to each other, their chemistry feels like lightning in a bottle. I think at multiple points throughout about how lucky it feels to catch them in a small room like this one. I get the distinct sense that they will not be playing venues like this for much longer.
Another high point in the set is “Tilt-a-Whirl,” an old solo track of Reid’s that was unfinished until last year. They released their reconfigured version on Butterfly, and she describes it as a long conversation. The song details the lunacy of crushing, that helpless feeling of wanting the other party to make the first move.
Butterfly released March 20, 2026
Living up to their band name, much of their music explores the world through a mystical lens. “Spell” is no exception and is one of my favorite moments of the night. Fraser’s vocals are achingly beautiful. The song begins with him repeating the same phrasing twice in a row. The first time, it’s quiet and reflective. Second, it’s desperate. Then Reid comes in, a response. Everyone is waiting, rapt, for the moment their voices will come together. When they do, it feels destined. Like they were always meant to be singing as one. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as the song comes to an end. How are they going to follow that?
The answer: “Chill Out." The first track off of Beast and this show’s closer.
“Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-chill out!
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-chill out!”
Fraser belts with increasing urgency. The pulsing guitar melody makes me want to jump. This Dutch crowd is a bit too composed for my taste. But they’re certainly nodding their heads to this one.
The band exits, and we all hope for an encore, staying and applauding for a few minutes until the lights come on. Alas, that’s all they have for us tonight. We’re fortunate to have experienced it together.
The duo set up at the merch table post performance and couldn’t have been lovelier.
