Attending a band’s final show of their first headline tour is set to be daring, perhaps a little chaotic, and also heartfelt: Westside Cowboy were no exception. Nestled within the cave-like basement of Cabaret Voltaire, the band were supported by a loyal army of fans desperate to take up every inch in hope of getting the best view possible. The intimate but packed performance guaranteed a sense of awe in the aftermath as you could feel every guitar riff, drum beat and harmonised lyric. For one hour on a Friday night, two hundred indie lovers weren’t just listening to Westside Cowboy, but becoming aligned with them.
Consisting of Mancunian students Reuben Haycocks, Paddy Murphy, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and James Bradbury, the fresh-faced band have been playing together for almost two years. Despite being newcomers, in recent months the quartet have been making waves within the music industry, earning a spot at Glastonbury last June after winning the coveted Emerging Talent Competition. What started as grungy covers in a bedroom has turned into industry-altering music on track to tour the world.
Beginning with a beautiful instrumental intro the band allowed any latecomers to filter in before erratically shouting “Westside Cowboy”: signally the start of ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’. A firm favourite from their debut EP This Better Be Something Great, released in August this year, the crowd was happy from the get-go.
Balancing poetic lyrics and golden harmonies with brash, eager tempos, the band have composed their own genre of music: Britainicana. A term they’ve contrived themselves, the band’s unique sound attempts, and achieves, to mirror the interpretation of Americana music through a British lens. With groundbreaking results, there’s no denying Westside Cowboy are forging a new era of indie music.
Their gig wasn’t just a celebration of their debut but also a tease towards their upcoming EP So Much Country ‘Till We Get There, coming out on 16 January 2026. Though the connection between each song, its name, and place on the EP remains a mystery for now, I am certain each one will be added to my playlist. O’Connell’s beautiful folk-style vocals on one struck me as she sang “did they tell you you’d live for 62 years / ‘til the skin fell away from your face”. A gut-punching line which made everyone in the crowd pause before we were rushed back into the authentically loud and frantic nature of Westside Cowboy’s tune.
Wrapping up the performance the band came together for a stripped back song assumed to be upcoming release ‘In the Morning’. With all four singing alongside only a single guitar and drum, the audience joined in, clapping along; it was a moment of pure merriment.
Looking to the band’s sound manager as the chant “one more tune” reverberated the walls, there was a glint of fear for the band’s potential last-night-of-tour spontaneity. Alas the final supporter’s voice went hoarse, and we all accepted there was to be no encore. It’s fair to say we were left wanting more. But with posters for next year’s tour dotted along the walls, we can be sure this isn’t Westside Cowboy’s last rodeo.
Image Credit to Alice Locker.
