Photo Credit: Kate Warby
Words: Sophie Eley
Over two years on from their last UK run, Utah formed The Backseat Lovers made a long-awaited return with a sold-out show at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms – leading a night that felt more like a shared secret than your typical gig. With a setlist spanning fan favourites to fresh, unreleased tracks, The Backseat Lovers effortlessly poured raw energy and emotional depth into every moment.
Charlie Vaughan, former band member of Weird Milk, opened the night with a set that felt both nostalgic but refreshingly modern. Backed by a seasoned band radiating pure chemistry, Vaughan delivered a sound which fused ’60s pop charm with modern riffs and honest lyricism. By his third song ‘Picturehouse’ the crowd was completely locked in and entranced by the blend of dreamy melodies and understated intensity. A standout moment came when Vaughan performed ‘So Profound’, a slower, more introspective track that revealed the singer’s emotional range. By the end of his set, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand, closing with ‘Thank You, Joe Fernandez’, the title track from his 2024 EP, and leaving a lasting impression that suggested this won’t be the last time he commands a stage like this.
With anticipation building in the room, The Backseat Lovers stepped onto the stage with unassuming energy, as the crowd welcomed their presence with open arms. Frontman Joshua Horman took the moment to perform an intimate cover of ‘A World So Full of Love’ by Roger Miller, immediately drawing the audience in before the full band launched into fan favourite ‘Growing/Dying’. The momentum carried into ‘Pool House,’ featuring one of the night’s many standout guitar solos that had the crowd roaring in approval. Shortly after, Horman’s genuine appreciation shone through as he soaked in the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers and applause.
The crowd’s energy remained palatable as the four piece unveiled unreleased track ‘Invisible’, just one of the two unreleased tracks performed on the night, suggesting new music is on the horizon. Following a glimpse of their new material, the band took the crowd back to 2019 once again with ‘Maple Syrup’, another infectious track which proved the band’s undeniable talent.
After a handful of high-energy songs, Horman slowed the pace down with a heartfelt acoustic rendition of ‘Snowbank Blues’. Stripped back and intimate, the performance allowed his raw vocals and the song’s emotional intensity to take center stage, contrasting to the band’s more electrifying moments. However, the calm was short-lived as the band launched into the chart-hitting tune ‘Kilby Girl,’ instantly igniting the crowd once again. Hormon clearly relished the moment, feeding off the energy as the audience sang along to every word.
Forgoing the usual encore pause, the band stayed on stage, embracing the close-knit atmosphere and even switching up the setlist in response to crowd requests. A standout moment came with “Close Your Eyes,” featuring guitarist Jonas Swanson joining Hormon on vocals to the crowd’s delight. After thanking the Nottingham crowd for their support, the band played their final song ‘Sinking Ship’, which was nothing short of a masterpiece. As the final notes rang out, the crowd stood in awe, reluctant to let the moment end, a clear sign that The Backseat Lovers had left them wanting more.
Taped Magazine 