Back in 2005, 16-year-old me was deep into her A-Level photography coursework, soundtracked by the raw emotion of Ideas Above Our Station. Hundred Reasons weren’t just background noise—they were fuel for creativity, the band that made teenage chaos feel like something powerful and purposeful.
Fast forward 20 years, and that girl, now a professional photographer, stood in the pit at Engine Rooms in Southampton, capturing the band’s final ever south coast show. It wasn’t just a gig—a moment of perfect symmetry, a full-circle farewell that resonated deeply with everyone who’d grown up with Hundred Reasons as part of their story.
There was a charged atmosphere at Engine Rooms on Sunday night, as a packed crowd gathered for Hundred Reasons’ final ever south coast show. For many, it felt less like a gig and more like a send-off—an emotional celebration of a band that shaped the UK post-hardcore scene in the early 2000s and remained a vital live force to the very end.
Opening the night were Southampton locals Buds. who wasted no time getting the room moving. Blending grunge-laced riffs with sharp, emotionally raw vocals, their set was both fierce and heartfelt. There’s something refreshingly unfiltered about Buds.—punk in spirit, with just enough polish to hint at big things to come.
Their local following turned out in force, and by the end of their set, they’d won over anyone else in the room still unfamiliar with their name. But it was Hundred Reasons who everyone had come to see, and when they finally emerged to the unmistakable opening notes of ‘Glorious Sunsets,’ the energy in the room exploded.
From that moment on, it was a cathartic ride through their discography—hits from ‘Ideas Above Our Station’ and ‘Shatterproof Is Not a Challenge’ landed with as much urgency and fire as ever. Frontman Colin was in commanding form, his voice still soaring with passion and grit, while guitarist Larry proved why the band’s melodic, yet aggressive sound still resonates for two decades.
There were sing-alongs and moments of genuine emotion as the band paused between tracks to reflect on their journey and thank their fans. Perhaps the night’s most poignant moment came during ‘Kill Your Own’ with the crowd taking over the chorus in a wave of nostalgia and unity.
If there was a dry eye in the house, it wasn’t anywhere near the front.
Hundred Reasons have a fanbase that’s fiercely loyal and deeply passionate. Their live performances don’t just mirror their records—they elevate them, delivering each song with unwavering intensity and precision. There’s no filler, no downtime—just a seamless, high-energy set that keeps the crowd fully engaged from start to finish.
This wasn’t just a farewell show but a love letter to everyone who ever found solace, power, or identity in their music.
Buds.
