Photo Credit:
Words: Gabriella Lynn

Aussie band Surf Trash kicked off the UK leg of their 2026 tour at Kelham Island’s Yellow Arch Studios, giving Sheffield fans a first taste of their upcoming album announced to be released in August. 

I hadn’t heard of such a niche genre as “Surf Rock” before, but Surf Trash certainly electrified the stage at Yellow Arch Studios with their unique blend of surf music, indie and alternative rock. Made up of brothers Andrew Scott (drums/lead vocals) and Nicholas Scott (bass), as well as Lachlan Jackson (guitar) and Patrick Russel (guitar), Surf Trash have gained much anticipation for their return to the UK in 2026. And they definitely did not disappoint in their first ever Sheffield show. 

The band started off with notable tracks like ‘Spice it Up‘, ‘Peer Pressure‘ and their new 2026 single ‘Do It All Again‘. The infectious melodies of each song combined with the cool, carefree demeanor of the band captured the essence of surfing the Australian waves, despite the fact that is not something I have experienced first-hand. Bassist, Nicholas Scott performed front and centre of the stage, at one point bending all the way back whilst playing that his knees almost touched the floor, drawing a roar from the audience. Whilst Jackson and Russel had a more nonchalant approach, Scott definitely knew how to work the crowd. 

As the show progressed, the electric atmosphere only continued to grow with fans gaining more and more energy with each song. When they played ‘Pacifico’, a single released in 2025, they told the crowd that the song was inspired by and written with a friend who lived in Sheffield for a couple of months, which only evoked more admiration from the Sheffield crowd. 

The way in which lead vocalist and drummer Andrew Scott had the stamina to both drum and deliver clear, unfaltering vocals throughout the set truly amazed me, and is an element that sets Surf Trash apart from other indie bands. Whoever said that the frontman can’t also be the drummer? 

To fans’ delight, the band played an unreleased new song ‘Golden Plain’, a softer but equally catchy tune, creating an intimate glimpse into the band’s new music. One of the final songs they played was the beloved ‘Wrong or Right‘, a non-album single released in 2020, which was certified Gold by Australian Recording Industry Association, becoming possibly their most successful release. It really solidified a great set. For a primarily Australian, smaller band, the turnout in Sheffield and the UK/EU tour in general just goes to show how their fanbase is expanding. Surf Trash are without a doubt one of indie rock’s most exciting up-and-comers