On a rainy Sunday evening, the sold-out O2 Academy Bristol was buzzing with anticipation as The Snuts – Jack Cochrane on vocals and guitar, Joe McGillveray on guitar, Callum Wilson on bass and Jordan Mackay on drums – brought their signature dynamic energy and emotional lyricism to the stage. Having previously experienced the West Lothian indie rock band supporting Louis Tomlinson at the OVO Wembley back in 2022, this marked my first time seeing them perform a full set, and I was eager to see the growth the band has had in the two years since last seeing them.
Opening the night was Grace Burr, who took the stage shortly after the doors opened to the general audience. Her set of catchy pop tracks, paired with infectious melodies, warmed up the soaked crowd, setting an inviting tone for the evening. Despite being an emerging artist with no official releases, Burr’s charm and polished sound hinted at a bright future, and I am excited to see her journey in the years ahead.
Next up was Siobhán Winifred, who I have also previously seen live at Whiplash – a night of music put together by BBC Introducing Radio 1 DJ Gemma Bradley. Almost two years later, Winifred has become a staple name in the indie pop scene, playing festivals like Barn on the Farm, Great Escape and Latitude, additionally supporting the likes of Stevie Nicks, James Bay and Rachel Chinouriri.
Her unreleased track Toothpaste brought waves of nostalgia to the crowd, capturing the bittersweet longing of fleeting moments. It is a track I can, without a doubt, see become a fan favourite once it’s released. The raw and vulnerable love song Lungs seemingly drew everyone’s breath away, with the music cutting out before surging back in full force with big indie-rock drums and guitars in the chorus, beautifully mimicking a big breath one takes. Don’t Do Well Alone, the title track from her debut EP, was a raw confession of vulnerability and imposter syndrome, made even more poignant by Winifred’s commentary on the highs and lows of being an artist. The highlight performance of her set was the hauntingly beautiful rendition of Arctic Monkeys’ 505. With a delicate guitar solo opening, it built to a breathtaking crescendo, culminating in a full-band entrance at the chorus. Although parts of the crowd seemed distracted during quieter moments of her set, Winifred’s undeniable talent and emotional depth left lasting impressions on everyone. Her music, a blend of introspective ballads and indie-rock anthems, embodies the power of artistic independence and self-expression, combining vibrant energy with authentic lyrics that bravely and vulnerably explore mental health and love.
When The Snuts finally took the stage, the atmosphere shifted into a full-blown celebration. Touring to support their third album, Millennials, the band delivered a tightly crafted set balancing nostalgic hits with fresh tracks. With the minimalist staging of a single streetlight and flickering 90s-style TVs, which enhanced the atmosphere, the crowd’s focus remained firmly on the music.
From the first notes of Millionaires, O2 Academy Bristol shook from the crowd’s jumping and moshing, lifting each other to the hopeful anthem of love conquering all – I couldn’t have chosen a better opener. The energy escalated further with older tracks like Seasons and Fatboy Slim, their gritty instrumentation and chant-like choruses inspiring wild singalongs.
As the set progressed, The Snuts didn’t shy away from their music’s raw emotion and scathing political commentary. Burn The Empire, the title track of their second album, spurred anti-Tory chants, connecting the band’s music to the social-political frustrations of their fans. The blend of fiery lyrics, McGillveray’s gritty guitars, and a powerful vocal delivery from Cochrane created moments that were as thought-provoking as they were electrifying. This was followed by Always and Hallelujah Moment, highlighting the band’s knack for crafting songs that unify fans through anthemic choruses and relatable themes, during which fans echoed enthusiastic responses with waving arms, belting voices, and forming many mosh pits.
The set’s stripped-back portion offered a much-needed breather. Top Deck returned the audience to the band’s roots, with its intimate storytelling that defined their earlier music and an acoustic arrangement that resonated deeply with fans. Cochrane shared that this track had been the band’s “last attempt” at pursuing music before its unexpected success propelled it to #1 in 2021. The juxtaposition of the acoustic rendition of this song to Cochrane’s commentary on the struggles of the modern music industry and the resilience required to navigate it was a surprisingly powerful take. Much to the audience’s delight, the band revived Sing For Your Supper, a song not performed live in five years before this tour. Continuing the celebration of their journey, The Snuts performed Somebody Loves You – a blueprint of their music. Igniting another passionate singalong, many fans were hugging their friends and partners while swaying to the song, making it one of the night’s most magical moments.
Cochrane took a poignant moment to bring attention to the harsh realities of the music industry, lamenting how streaming platforms pay next to nothing and emphasising the vital role of fans coming to live shows. “Coming to these shows week in and week out provides so much support and allows you to see the next generation of support acts. This keeps music alive,” he remarked, thanking the crowd warmly. Not only was his gratitude towards the undying support of their fans across many years but also towards their determination to keep the indie scene thriving.
Before heading into the encore, the band performed a song written over a decade ago and at a time when they didn’t know what would happen in their lives. Cochrane remarked, “What’s Going On is a song that feels really relevant when you’re younger but still feels relevant in different parts of your life when you’re a little older”. Bathed in dark blue lights with flickering TVs in the background, Cochrane’s raw vocals, coupled with McGillveray’s soft guitar and Wilson’s bass, steeped in nostalgia. The band’s soft instrumentation allowed the crowd’s chorus-like singing to shine through during the building and full choruses before returning to quieter moments in appreciation of Cochrane’s vocals. A hauntingly repetitive bridge, “Are you still part of the noise?” grew into a menacing chant, culminating in an exhilarating ending to the main set – a standout moment of the night.
Returning to the stage to deafening whistles and applause, The Snuts delivered a powerful and emotional encore. With its encouraging waving of hand, Circles set a celebratory tone that echoed from the floor to the back of the balcony. The penultimate hit of the night was Glasgow, a heartfelt ode to finding solace in the familiarity of home after placing faith in the allure of the big city, resonating deeply with the audience. Its simmering rhythm encouraged the crowd to savour their energy before unleashing it in the explosive chorus with passionate riffs and rounds of mosh pits. The final sendoff was Gloria, a track that distils the beauty of love into the simplicity of everyday moments. The track stunningly captures everything love and music should be: a symphony of unity – through passionate lyrics depicting a movie-type romance, it instils an irresistible energy in the crowd, uniting fans as they jump on each other’s shoulders and arms are intertwined. As the band visibly enjoyed their time on stage, the performance truly left a lasting impression and a perfect and uplifting end to an unforgettable night.
The Snuts delivered an exhilarating, emotionally moving performance showcasing their evolution as artists and live performers and their connection with fans who have supported them every step of the way. Despite moments where the crowd chattered during lesser-known tracks detracted from the experience, it was not a reflection of the band’s performance but rather served as a reminder of the challenge of live gigs, no matter whether it was the support or main act affected. Nonetheless, the night was a triumph. From tender moments of Somebody Loves You and What’s Going On to the unifying singalongs of Glasgow and Gloria, the band capture the highs and lows of love, life and self-discovery with raw authenticity. This was more than just a gig – it was a celebration of community and resilience.
As the final notes echoed through the venue and fans joyfully spilt out into the rainy streets, one thing was clear: The Snuts have honed their craft through relentless touring, and, debatably more importantly, their connection with fans, spanning generations. Walking into the venue, I hadn’t expected to be so profoundly reminded of why supporting live music matters – but by the end of the night, the irreplaceable magic of shared experiences in a room filled with music, passion and unity had left an undeniable mark.
