Five months ago I spent a Sunday evening in September in the Brudenell Social Club, a venue that I only half jokingly refer to as my second home. Whilst Blondshell put in a sterling performance as headliner, it was support act Westside Cowboy who made the bigger impact. It only took a few songs to realise there was something different but thrilling about their Americana infused indie. It didn’t come as much surprise then to see them ranking highly on many pundits ones to watch in 2026 lists, even less surprising the quick promotion to top the bill for a return show at the Brudenell, selling out months in advance. Despite the weather outside consisting of the most stereotypical Yorkshire winter sleet possible, inside was the sense of occasion only found when a crowd knows they’re getting in early on something special.
Kicking straight into their cover version of Midnight Cowboy it was clear that the band were enjoying their growing success and time in the limelight. Whilst there was a certain innocence to the band and their performance, the combination of chaotic energy, snaking guitar lines, pounding drumming and constantly changing frontperson brought back memories of early The Libertines performances (obviously without the excessive drug taking, inter band feuds and insistency on burgling each other’s homes). Nowhere was this clearer than in The Boys whose stop start intro threatened on multiple times to morph into a near relative of Can’t Stand Me Now.
For a band in the very early stages of their career it was delightful to hear the enthusiasm with which the crowd sang back what were already established as live favourites. Nowhere was the recpetion stronger than for recent release The Wahs, a song seemingly intent on claiming the title of 2026’s most reliable Indie disco dance floor filler (the performance of which has been gloriously captured in this Youtube video). For closer In the Morning, the band came to the front of the stage to sing together backed by a solitary drum and guitar, a poignant moment that fitted the mood of the evening perfectly. Throughout the evening a sign on guitarist Reuben Haycocks’ amp read “No Band is an Island”; if they were I’m sure plenty of people would be setting sail for the Isle of Westside Cowboy right now.
Have you seen Westside Cowboy on their rapid ascent to the top of concert bills? Make sure to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to subscribe for more reviews of both established and up and coming acts.
Westside Cowboy Performed:
Alex Reviews Gigs 
Leave a comment