Author Archives: TrueStyle Sophie

State Champs live review: proving their pop-punk reign is stronger than ever

O2 Institute Birmingham, 26th Februrary 2025 If there’s one thing State Champs can do, it’s deliver an exemplary pop-punk show. So when the lights in Birmingham’s O2 Institute dim and a thumping, building instrumental track blasts from the speakers, the cheer that erupts from the crowd is nothing short of deafening. The members walk outContinue reading “State Champs live review: proving their pop-punk reign is stronger than ever”

“None of this will matter when I’m 38”: The Manatees on Submarine, playing live, and ‘Without You’

In the last few years, Southampton-based band The Manatees have steadily built a reputation in the indie rock scene, selling out shows at London’s The Camden Assembly, embarking on a headline tour, and even performing on Made in Chelsea. Now, the five-piece – consisting of Jay, Tyler, Miller, Issy, and Joe – are back withContinue reading ““None of this will matter when I’m 38”: The Manatees on Submarine, playing live, and ‘Without You’”

Daily J Scatterbrains review: a shimmering slice of summer

Modern life moves at a relentless pace – from the constant barrage of news headlines to the demands of daily routine, all too often, it can be overwhelming. While there’s no easy fix, Daily J’s second album, Scatterbrains, offers a temporary antidote. Drenched in the sounds of summer and nostalgia, Scatterbrains is a much-needed escapeContinue reading “Daily J Scatterbrains review: a shimmering slice of summer”

Inhaler light up Brixton with roaring rock anthems and pop grooves

O2 Academy Brixton, 13th Februrary 2025 When the lights dim in Brixton’s O2 Academy, the sheer volume of the roar that ensues from the crowd is indicative of one thing and one thing only – Irish pop-rock band Inhaler are about to take the stage, and their fans are going to give them the effusiveContinue reading “Inhaler light up Brixton with roaring rock anthems and pop grooves”

Open Wide review: Inhaler’s muddled foray into pop

Inhaler have a very characteristic sound, and it only takes listening to a few songs from their first two albums, It Won’t Always Be Like This (2021) and Cuts and Bruises (2023), to notice this. Two albums and several big tours and support slots later (Harry Styles, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Arctic Monkeys, etc.)Continue reading “Open Wide review: Inhaler’s muddled foray into pop”

Neck Deep live review: pop-punk madness

O2 Academy Bristol, 31st January 2025 Back in Bristol for the first time in a few years, Welsh pop-punkers Neck Deep bring their Dumbstruck Dumbf!@k tour to Bristol’s headline venue, the O2 Academy. With old friends The Wonder Years and new friends One Step Closer, both from across the pond, this was set to beContinue reading “Neck Deep live review: pop-punk madness”

The Kawala Collection review: A triumphant curtain call for the indie pop group

Late in 2024, tropical indie outfit Kawala announced that their February 2025 tour would actually be their farewell tour. But before the tour kicks off, the band dropped The Kawala Collection, a final body of work bringing together all the music they’d released over 2024, plus a few new tracks. The album is a triumphantContinue reading “The Kawala Collection review: A triumphant curtain call for the indie pop group”

Remi Wolf’s show at the O2 Academy Brixton proves she’s full of Big Ideas

O2 Academy Brixton, 5th December 2024 It’s not often that an upcoming artist makes a mark bold enough to rival that of mainstream legends, but Remi Wolf proves she’s one to watch and keep on all your feel-good playlists. Blending pop, funk, disco and rock, her release of Big Ideas transformed her from being aContinue reading “Remi Wolf’s show at the O2 Academy Brixton proves she’s full of Big Ideas”

Paris Paloma live review: creating a welcoming community one show at a time

SWX, Bristol, 2nd December 2024 Even an hour after doors, there is still a large queue outside SWX. I walk past the hundreds of people circling the building, hoping to make it inside in time for Luvcat. For the first time, Luvcat is not accompanied by the rest of her band, yet this loneliness isContinue reading “Paris Paloma live review: creating a welcoming community one show at a time”