The Twilight Sad | 3rd May 2026 | Newcastle Boiler Shop
If I had one word to describe this band, it'd be Cathartic. Such a simple, short word, but it’s life-affirming, fuelled by emotion, love and experience of life’s challenges.
The new album is just beautifully perfect, touching and emotionally overwhelming. Long ago I found myself drawn to their songs. The lyrics are deeper than I’d ever realised. There is a distinct talent in James’ lyrics that inspires a deep emotional response, perfectly cryptic, so that you don’t fully understand, but you can relate to the lyrics in your imagination and connect to your own experiences in life. There’s a connection I haven’t felt in any other music, other than Radiohead. Emotional reactions ranging from utterly broken to utterly ecstatic, often within the same song! It is something truly special. Each play of a song delves deeper into layers and the perfect sonic exploration, with Andy’s guitar and James vocals, just a perfect coupling. I was instantly addicted from the first time I saw them in 2011.
Fast forward to 2026. Much has changed since I saw them at “my last gig ever” in October 2019 at Newcastle Students' Union. At the time it felt like the most perfect way to go for me. I saw my first band ever there (Six By Seven in 1998 when John Peel compered for BBC Sound City Festival). That was a formative experience for me, I was 18, the bass and feedback was the most intense thing I’d ever heard. Then I spotted a photographer taking photos of this amazing thing. That looks like a fun job, I thought. My world felt like it ended in 2018 when I lost my Grandad. Nothing mattered. I was encouraged to keep doing what I loved, which was music and photos. I only did a few gigs after that. I was spent. I watched The Twilight Sad play in a venue I’d been to dozens of times and it felt the perfect way to sign off. They were fucking awesome.
Six-and-a-half years later. I’m wide awake at 6 in the morning, bouncing off the walls to see The Twilight Sad again. My excitement is a bit ridiculous for a 45-year-old, but holy shit, I appreciate that feeling so much! This is how it used to feel! My anticipation is just ridiculous for this gig, that wall of sound, I need it. 13 more hours till they hit the stage… steady on old lad!
Some big events have gone down in those six-plus years. I missed them at the Barras in 2022 due to work and being broke. I’d honestly given up hope of seeing them again. For absolutely selfish reasons, I’d never want them to stop, but life, as we all know, has its own path. They've made a very welcome return, a fresh start after a reset. I am happy to say they are back and somehow more outrageously intense than ever as a four-piece.
Tonight I’m here ready to have my ears and senses pummelled. The band consists of some pure legends in the Glasgow and Rock Action family. Cat Myers, whom I’d become a fan of during her days depping with Mogwai, just a pure powerhouse of energy which really works for TTS, then they go and hoy in Simone Buttler! Low-end groove master for Primal Scream no less. I instantly understood this would be a pure banger of a set.
I have resisted looking at the setlists for the recent gigs, as I love being swept along with whatever the band chooses to gift us. That said, it was really tough to resist. I expected the setlist to be a fairly rowdy one, with the band now playing without keys. Which is quite an exciting change of pace, I’ve seen them 12 times since 2012, spanning different lineups. This one is special, so powerful and of course, loud as fuck! I hope there will be many more gigs and tours but for now I’m just grateful for the chance to see them again.
Waiting For the Phone Call, must be the first song? It has to be?! I was wrong, they went straight into Dead Flowers, which is one of the standout tracks on the new LP when I first heard it. The set tonight would lean into the Long Goodbye album quite heavily and it’s pure magic. The setlist was incredibly well-balanced, something for everyone. This was just perfect!
I must admit to losing my shit to And She Would Darken the Memory, like fully swept along 💜 What a song. Simone clocked me doing this and gave me my favourite photo of the gig, see below. Buzzing with this one!
Thank you TTS. Please come back!
This was amazing, I had such a great time chatting with fans after the show. Twilight Sad fans are the best!
Next stop Glasgow Barrowland for what will undoubtedly be gig of the year for me. They’ve already got my album of the year. So it seems fair 💜 🏴
I shall also share a full gallery of support act Deary in their own special post, shortly.
Full Photo Gallery
