SO.CO Team
Live: Everything Eveything Scale New Heights In Newcastle
December nights in Newcastle are notoriously bitter, but Everything Everything lit up the NX stage on the 11th with enough heat to keep the crowd buzzing long after the last note faded. Riding high off the momentum of their latest album, Mountainhead, the Manchester art-rock maestros proved they’ve yet to peak. If anything, they’re only getting better with time.
Prima Queen opening for Everything Everything in Newcastle
Kicking things off, London-based Prima Queen delivered an earnest and hypnotic set, blending dreamy guitar riffs with bittersweet vocals. They’re the kind of support act that sneaks up on you, planting emotional landmines in your chest. Songs like Eclipse and Chew My Cheeks struck a chord, their raw vulnerability providing the perfect contrast to the calculated chaos of the headliners.
Prima Queen opening for Everything Everything in Newcastle
When Everything Everything emerged, the energy in NX instantly spiked. They tore into the set with The Mad Stone, a track that showcases their knack for blending apocalyptic themes with infectious grooves. The room erupted, and Jonathan Higgs’ falsetto soared effortlessly above the crashing instrumentation. Frontman Higgs, always the eccentric frontman, prowled the stage with an intensity that matched the song's urgency.
Everything Everything in Newcastle
The band wasted no time, plunging headfirst into a high octane set featuring Jennifer and Pizza Boy, as well as Metroland Is Burning, their ode to arson in a now defunct shopping centre theme park just a few miles away from tonight’s venue. Each track is a showcase of their signature sound: intricate, pulsating beats laced with falsetto vocals and razor-sharp lyrics.
Everything Everything in Newcastle
The interplay between Higgs and the band was magnetic, their chemistry sharper than ever. Drummer Michael Spearman was a machine, holding down complex rhythms with an effortless flair. Guitarist Alex Robertshaw and keyboardist Peter Sené delivered layers of sound that felt both chaotic and perfectly controlled.
Everything Everything in Newcastle
Opening the encore, Cold Reactor pushed the energy to another level. The relentless, almost mechanical rhythm sent shockwaves through the venue. If the band were looking to challenge the crowd's stamina, they succeeded. This was a gig where standing still wasn’t an option, even for the most stoic fans.
Everything Everything in Newcastle
As the evening drew to a close, Everything Everything delivered a show-stopping finale with No Reptiles. Higgs’ haunting delivery of “It's alright to feel like a fat child in a pushchair” sent shivers through the room. The song's slow build to an explosive crescendo was a masterclass in live performance, leaving the audience both exhilarated and emotionally drained.
Everything Everything in Newcastle
The show cemented Everything Everything as one of the most innovative and consistent bands on the UK circuit. Every gig seems to reveal new layers to their sound, and their live presence has evolved into something both visceral and euphoric. They are a band which continues to evolve, and whatever comes next for them, one thing’s certain: they’ll be back, and they’ll somehow be even better.
Words and photos: Thomas Jackson