Sunset Sons – Nottingham 23/10/26

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Although this is supposed to be a review of Sunset Sons’ gig, I would really like to mention how surprised I, and most of the audience was after their support act’s performance, Jessarae, who sound much more electric, raw and lively live than they do on record. He is a very talented singer-songwriter for whom I see a very bright future ahead in the indie rock-pop world. Well done and thanks to Sunset Sons for choosing Jessarae as your support act.

Back to the headliners, who have had a very productive last two years. After appearing on the The BBC Sound of 2015 shortlist, which helped them get much more recognition, they went on tour around Europe with the L.A. indie rock band Imagine Dragons so it was no coincidence that after being exposed to such a big audience the band ended up having such a loyal and fast growing fan based. This tour has seen them playing in Glastonbury, T In The Park, Isle of Wight and other festivals in promotion of their debut album released only a few months ago (April, 2016), this was also their first UK headline tour, a young, energetic and enthusiastic band getting ready to eat the world with their shows.

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One could say that Sunset Sons are an honest band, they don’t try to be something they are not, they are not trying to be a genre-bending pop-rock band like Imagine Dragons or Mumford Sons. They make, plain and simple, very good rock stadium songs aimed at a younger and more mainstream market filled with catchy choruses and guitar melodies such as on “She Wants” or “September Song”. Don’t get me wrong, something that tries to be mainstream and reach a wider audience it’s not necessary a bad thing,Rory Williams’ voice and piano gives the music a very distinctive sound which accompanied by Robin Windram catchy guitar riffs make it much more a more enjoyable and original experience than a lot of other indie bands.

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By having released only one album and a bunch of singles they are limited to the amount of songs they can play leaving the audience with thirst for more, that was partially solvedwith a surprisingly well crafted cover of the classic soul singer Ottis Redding’s “Stand By Me” halfway through the show after playing songs from their debut record “Very Rarely Say Die” as well as their newest off the album single “VROL”.

If you want to see an energetic show while listening to some catchy but yet original indie pop-rock tunes Sunset Sons is definitely your new favourite band and “Very Rarely Say Die” your new favourite musical obsession.

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Full setlist:

MEDICINE
TICK TOCK
SHE WANTS
KNOW MY NAME
DISCO BANDS
GOLD
COME EASY
LOA
BLONDIE
STAND BY ME (Ottis Redding)
VROL
REMEMBER
BRIGHT LIGHTS
SOMEWHERE MAYBE
(Encore)
I CAN’T WAIT
LOST COMPANY
ON THE ROAD