Bad Nerves Warm Up Koko … And Then Some

While audiences are generally receptive to opening acts, the main act is why they handed over their cash, why they queued up in the rain for hours to get a spot at the front. And so when an opening act has the crowd bouncing so wildly, throwing around £7 pints of beer and generally engaging as if it was the encore of the main act, you know they’re doing something right.

Bad Nerves @ Koko

Bobby Bird of Bad Nerves

And so was the case as Essex pop-punk outfit Bad Nerves brought their distinct energy and high-octane tunes to North London’s Koko, opening for Brightonian four-piece Black Honey. Led by frontman Bobby Bird and rounded out by Will Power on guitar, Jon Poulton on bass, Sam Thompson on drums and George Berry also on guitar, the quintet brought their flavour of punk to an unsuspecting, but appreciative crowd. Okay, so there may have been more than a handful in the crowd singing along to the group’s eponymous 2020 debut record tunes (along with a smattering of more recent stuff) and bouncing along more than enthusiastically!

The band played:

Don’t Stop
Baby Drummer
Palace
Terminal
USA
Radio Punk
Electric 88
Can’t Be Mine
Mad Mind
Wasted Days
Dreaming

Black Honey Bring A Fistful Of Peaches To Koko

Willie J Healey Announces New EP ‘143’ And Shares Warm-Hearted New Single ‘Ditch’

Oxford songwriter Willie J Healey has announced the release of his new EP 143, arriving on 4th September, alongside the release of its effortlessly charming lead single Ditch. The five-track collection follows the success of 2023’s acclaimed Bunny and arrives ahead of a run of UK festival appearances and intimate headline dates this autumn, further cementing Healey’s reputation as one of Britain’s most distinctive and quietly brilliant songwriters.

TV Priest Return With Ambitious New Album ‘Cartoons’ And Share Stirring Single ‘Love Song (A Good Kind Of Weapon)’

London post-punk innovators TV Priest have announced their long-awaited third studio album, Cartoons, due for release on 6th November. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled the record’s lead single, Love Song (A Good Kind Of Weapon), a striking and unexpectedly tender statement that signals a bold new direction for one of Britain’s most adventurous alternative bands.

Natalie McCool Unveils Euphoric New Single ‘We’re The Ones’ Ahead Of New Album ‘Good For The Soul’

Liverpool singer-songwriter Natalie McCool has shared her uplifting new single We’re The Ones, the latest preview of her forthcoming album Good For The Soul, due for release on 9th September.

Aruba Red Announces Deeply Personal New Album ‘Latent Echo’ And Shares Ethereal New Single ‘Kalliope’

London-based alt-soul artist Aruba Red has announced the release of her long-awaited new album Latent Echo, arriving on 30th October in physical formats, with the full digital release following on 24th December. Alongside the announcement comes the album’s captivating new single, Kalliope, offering another glimpse into one of the year’s most intimate and emotionally resonant records.

Wolf Alice @ Finsbury Park (Kalpesh Patel)

Wolf Alice Bloom At Finsbury Park In Spectacular Hometown Triumph

London's seemingly endless run of glorious summer weather continues into Sunday as another sun-soaked crowd descends...

Citizen Share Powerful New Single ‘I Can See You From Here’ Ahead Of New Album ‘Halcyon Blues’

Ohio alternative rock outfit Citizen have unveiled their emotionally charged new single I Can See You From Here, offering another compelling preview of their forthcoming album Halcyon Blues, set for release on 7th August via Run For Cover Records.

Converge Announce UK & European Headline Tour And Unveil New Video For ‘It Used To Matter’

Legendary hardcore innovators Converge have announced an extensive UK and European headline tour for November 2026, continuing an already relentless year that has seen the band release not one, but two full-length albums and reaffirm their status as one of heavy music’s most uncompromising creative forces.

Boston Manor Celebrate A Decade Of ‘Be Nothing.’ With Acoustic ‘Drowned In Gold’ And Anniversary Tour

Blackpool alt-rock favourites Boston Manor are celebrating ten years of the record that launched their career with the release of Drowned In Gold (Acoustic), the latest preview of the forthcoming Be Nothing. 10 Year Anniversary Edition, arriving on 14th August via Pure Noise Records.