Photo Credit: Lars Juveland

The eagerly anticipated return of Australian pop punkers BETWEEN YOU & ME to the UK marked the beginning of their new chapter as an independent band. The band proceeded to sell out several shows for their first headline tour, and they brought some very special guests with them for night four in Nottingham.

New York rising stars YOUNG CULTURE opened the evening for what was their first-ever show in Nottingham. Though they are from the same town as another hugely popular pop-punk band, these lads are on their own journey. With the house already packed, frontman Alex Magnan thanked the Nottingham fans for coming down early and wasted no time smashing through their opening performance. This upbeat opening set shows there’s nothing to be depressed about on what was a typical dismal winter Monday that February brings. The bands vibrant anthem ‘Drift’ definitely won over any doubting attendees (if there was any). Despite their short but sweet opening set, they are not one to miss the next time they make their way across the pond.

Unlike the debut from the opening act, the UK and BROADSIDE are very familiar with each other. The bands last appearance in the city dates back to 2018, and having released two full lengths since then, this was the perfect opportunity to perform some previously unheard songs live as well as a few fan favourites too. The frontman Ollie Baxxter displayed his sublime voice as they began their set with ‘Heavenly’  and fan favourite ‘Coffee Talk’ followed shortly after, bringing out the original Broadside fans who began to sing along word for word early in the set. The more recent pop-infused song ‘Dazed & Confused’ was a big hit, while the timeless classic ‘Storyteller’ brought back the nostalgia of the earlier years. Although BROADSIDE‘s uncommon visit to the UK is not to be taken for granted, it is nonetheless a welcome one.

It wasn’t long before the Aussie mob stepped onto the stage as two outstanding support acts warmed up the audience to get them ready for their first headline performance in Nottingham. You need to look no farther than BETWEEN YOU & ME if you’re searching for a fun, gregarious, and carefree band that can yet turn it on when needed. Opening their set with ‘Dakota‘ to warm up the already enthusiastic audience, the Melbourne band made quick work of their hour-long set.

2023’s upbeat gem ‘Nevermind’ ensured the energy remained in the room, and was quickly followed by the brand new track ‘In The Middle’ for what the band claim to be “their best song yet“. It went down a storm with the Nottingham crowd, but so did every song on the night. Their previous single ‘YEAH!’ got the whole place bouncing from front to back, and was followed by a cover of Smash Mouth’s ‘All Star’ that got the entire audience singing along. Even the bar staff joined in for this one.

The crowd were all for ‘Overthinking’ being added to the set list; even though vocalist JT described it as the song he hates the most. BY&M then concluded their headline performance with the hard hitting ‘Deadbeat’ and the beautiful ‘Butterflies’ to round off one of the strongest pop-punk line-ups the UK has ever had the pleasure of hosting.

Photo Credit: Lars Juveland