Overpass’ return to Birmingham was always going to be a special occasion, but a sold-out 02 Academy made for one of the biggest nights in the band’s career so far. Following the release of their debut album and a sold-out UK tour, the four-piece have spent the past few years steadily building their reputation. Now, with a hometown crowd filling one of the city’s biggest venues, the scale of that progress is impossible to ignore.
The evening gets off to a strong start with a stacked support bill. Saint Clair open the show, with the quartet already building a following despite only releasing their debut EP earlier this year. Frontman Toby Bardsley makes an immediate impression with his vocals, which stand out throughout their set. Their most recognised track, “Gretchen”, brought the first real singalong of the evening, with Toby encouraging the audience to join in. Their short set offers a promising glimpse of a band who look right at home on a stage of this size.
Leeds four piece The North followed, with their growing following making 2026 an important year for the band. Frontman Billy’s distinctive vocals give their indie-rock sound a character of its own, standing out across “Wallow” and “Can’t Sleep”. It was clear that a large part of the audience were already familiar with the band, with their set building towards a lively reception for “Soundtrack Your Soul”.
As the lights dim, Overpass emerge to a deafening reception. Opening with “Union Station”, the first track and single from their debut album, the band immediately establish the scale of the occasion. “Sandman” follows, maintaining the momentum before frontman Max Newbold takes a moment to tell the audience, “It’s good to be home”.
“Slow” provides the first shift in pace, building towards a heavier finish before “Like No Other” and “Forever, You” return to the sound that has defined their recent rise. Introducing the latter, Max reflects on the release of their debut album earlier this year, a significant achievement for the Birmingham four-piece. A medley of Harry Styles’ “American Girls” and Underworld’s “Born Slippy” brought another surge of excitement. Having first performed the tracks together on Radio 1’s Live Lounge, the combination has become a welcome addition to their live shows, with the crowd responding accordingly.
The sets most intimiate moment arrived with “Bonnie and Clyde Part 2”. As the rest of the band left the stage, Newbold performed alone beneath a sea of phone torches. It was the most vulnerable moment of the set, made all the more significant in front of a home crowd.
The band return for an encore of “Beautiful” and “3AM”, bringing their most popular tracks back into the spotlight. However, the biggest surprise is still to come. Partway through “Fall In Love”, Max introduces Nieve Ella, who joins the band to perform her part of their recent collaboration. Her entrance sends the venue into a frenzy, with the pair delivering a standout moment.
With the energy still high, “Take It Or Leave It” brings the mosh pits back before “Is This Real?” closes the set. For Overpass, a sold-out hometown show at the O2 Academy represents a significant step in their progression. The band have spent years earning their place on increasingly bigger stages, and their debut album has given them the songs to match that ambition. A fitting homecoming for a band with plenty more to offer.
