ethel cain
Piece Hall, Halifax - 20th June 26
Reviewed by Huw Williams
Photo courtesy of Rhodes Media
Three years ago, Ethel Cain stood on this very stage as support for boygenius. Even then, the Floridian singer-songwriter inspired an impressive level of devotion, particularly for an artist still on the rise. Returning to The Piece Hall as a headline act, that devotion has only intensified.
From early in the day, fans queued around Halifax to secure their spot at the barrier.
That might sound competitive, but it misses the point entirely. An Ethel Cain crowd is one of the most welcoming and inclusive you'll come across. People arrive as their authentic selves, creating an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance that feels all too rare these days. Of course, that doesn't mean a lack of effort. The courtyard becomes a living scrapbook of Cain's career, with outfits referencing different eras and releases. Most striking are the blood-soaked tributes to Preacher's Daughter, bringing the album's mythology vividly into the Yorkshire evening.
The production matches the occasion. This is among the most elaborate stage sets I have personally seen at The Piece Hall. Multiple risers ensure every member of the band remains visible throughout, while broken fencing, overgrown grass and twisting ivy create a world that feels Southern Gothic and post-apocalyptic. There's a faintly dystopian quality to it all, but it perfectly serves the atmosphere Cain has spent years constructing. Crucially, it also means she remains visible from every corner of the venue.
What follows is a masterclass in dynamics. Cain is an accomplished storyteller, but the live setting adds another dimension to songs that already feel cinematic. A House in Nebraska lands with heartbreaking intimacy, thousands of voices hanging on every word. Elsewhere, Janie arrives with a rougher edge, leaning into grungey textures that reveal their versatility.
One of the evening's highlights comes during Willoughby's Interlude, the crowd enthusiastically shouting lyrics back towards the stage. It's a reminder that these songs have long since ceased belonging solely to Cain. They now live collectively among her audience.
Newer material continues to impress. Dust Bowl swells into a huge rock crescendo, the arrangement building layer upon layer of tension before finally breaking open. For me, the night's defining moment belongs to Ptolemaea. It’s an overwhelming piece of music. The slow accumulation of dread before the song explodes into repeated blasts of red strobe lighting. The effect releases the tension that has been building for minutes. It's powerful, it’s theatrical. It’s completely absorbing.
The set closes in similarly emotional fashion, with recent shows on the tour ending via the encore pairing of Crush and Sun Bleached Flies, providing both euphoria and reflection in equal measure.
Three years after supporting boygenius in the same courtyard, Ethel Cain returns transformed into a genuine headline force. The songs are bigger, the production grander and the audience larger. Yet the sense of community remains unchanged. Fanatical followers, beautiful togetherness and total inclusion. In a world increasingly defined by division, Ethel Cain has built a space where everyone belongs.
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st etienne / belle & sebastian @ piece hall, halifax - 21st
Get Your Groove On
Reviewed by Neil Milner
Photos by Dave Flerin
On the longest night of the year, Scottish indie behemoths Belle and Sebastian turned Halifax’s Piece Hall, that Grade I listed Georgian neoclassical jewel that every artist seems compelled to admire, into a sanctuary of nostalgia, romance and quietly subversive indie charm.
Lead vocalist Stuart Murdoch, playing the playful historian, even reminded us that people were once “guillotined for slight misdemeanours” here, which perhaps explains the band’s determination not to breach the 10.30pm curfew. They wrapped the night up with Sleep the Clock Around, slipping across the finish line with seconds to spare!
The night centred on celebrating 30 years of If You’re Feeling Sinister, a record whose eccentric melodies and refined vocals still possess a charm that feels untouched by time. Hearing the album performed in full in the Piece Hall’s open‑air courtyard felt like a small cultural alignment, a record steeped in bookish melancholy and conversational wit echoing around a vast Georgian square built for the trading of cloth and ideas.
From the opening swell of The Stars of Track and Field, the band were magnificent. Hearing this song here made me emotional, as they played it with a tenderness that felt both intimate and celebratory. The album’s unorthodox, playful melodic turns, those touches that once reminded ghosts of reviewers’ past of Nick Drake, Love, even Donovan, were rendered with clarity and warmth. The Fox in the Snow was an unexpected highlight, its live performance deepening my affection for a song hitherto escaping album favourite status.
The whole album was vividly performed, but I especially enjoyed hearing The Stars of Track and Field, Like Dylan in the Movies, The Fox in the Snow, If You're Feeling Sinister, The Boy Done Wrong Again and Judy and the Dream of Horses, which is 60% of the album The other 40% I just merely enjoyed hearing.
Murdoch was in a mischievous mood, keeping the crowd engaged with wry asides while the multi-functional band delivered a performance that was both precise and loose‑limbed. The encore included Step Into My Office, Baby, The Boy With The Arab Strap, and Dear Catastrophe Waitress, helping turn the courtyard into a communal dancefloor. During Arab Strap, a handful of fans were invited onstage to dance, a moment that captured the band’s enduring largesse.
Saint Etienne provided a superb opening set, gliding through Nothing Can Stop Us Now, Who Do You Think You Are, Spring, You’re In A Bad Way and more. They created a mood and a style and set the tone perfectly for what followed.
This night carried an extra resonance as both bands were part of the soundtrack to the era when I should have been in my professional prime, but alas I wasn’t. Instead of melancholy, though, the evening offered something gentler: a reminder that great music collapses time, and that some records, and some nights, stay with us far longer than we expect.
Links:
Belle and Sebastian
Saint Etienne
anastacia
Scarborough Open Air Theatre - 21st June 26
Review & photos - Liam McEvoy
There are artists who simply perform their greatest hits, and then there are artists like Anastacia, who transform them into a celebration. Her long-awaited debut at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday 21 June proved exactly why, more than 25 years after I'm Outta Love launched her career, she remains one of pop's most distinctive live performers.
With the Yorkshire coast providing a spectacular backdrop, the atmosphere was already electric before Anastacia took to the stage. Earlier, special guest Heather Small warmed up the crowd in style, delivering a set packed with unmistakable anthems and setting the perfect tone for the evening.
From the opening notes of "One Day in Your Life", Anastacia had the audience firmly in the palm of her hand. Possessing one of the most recognisable voices in pop music, she effortlessly blended soulful power with rock grit, proving that time has done nothing to diminish her extraordinary vocal range.
The setlist struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and deeper cuts, with crowd favourites including "Paid My Dues", "Sick and Tired", "Left Outside Alone" and, naturally, "I'm Outta Love" inspiring huge singalongs throughout the amphitheatre. Rather than simply recreating studio versions, many songs were given fresh arrangements, allowing her talented band to shine while showcasing the versatility of her catalogue.
Anastacia's personality was as much a highlight as her vocals. She mixed self-deprecating humour with genuine warmth, chatting comfortably with the Scarborough crowd as though she had been playing the venue for years. Costume changes, playful interactions with her band and an infectious sense of fun kept the evening moving at an engaging pace without ever feeling over-produced.
A mid-show interlude featuring the band performing a medley of dance classics gave both the musicians and audience a chance to let loose before Anastacia returned with a more intimate section that included emotional performances of "Heavy on My Heart" and "You'll Never Be Alone". These quieter moments demonstrated the emotional depth behind the powerhouse vocals that have always defined her career.
As darkness settled over the Open Air Theatre, the final stretch became one joyous celebration after another. Thousands sang every word back to the stage, while Anastacia responded with boundless energy, encouraging the audience to savour every moment. By the time the closing hits arrived, the venue had become one enormous choir.
Scarborough Open Air Theatre has welcomed many legendary performers over the years, but Anastacia's first appearance will surely rank among its standout summer concerts. Combining flawless vocals, genuine charisma and a catalogue packed with enduring hits, she delivered a performance that reminded everyone why she remains one of pop's most underrated live entertainers.
mcfly
Piece Hall, Halifax - 23rd June 26
Review & photos - Chris Nutton
Wall of Sound is back once again at the Piece Hall in Halifax to review McFly for night 1 of 2 sold-out shows at the Piece Hall. A London-based band since 2003, they have become cult heroes in the British rock genre with their unique sound and charismatic honour on stage. No wonder the Piece Hall got them in again for their 2026 line-up, as the first time was so good and what a day to pick for an event like this. The weather was a big problem for a lot of people, including the artists, but luckily there was support, water stations and plenty of additional resources that were put in place by the Piece Hall to make sure everyone was hydrated and had a great time.
Up first we have the sensation girl band ‘Remember Monday’ who, since their performance at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest representing the UK with their title track ‘What the hell just happened?’
They have blown up in a very quick amount of time and are becoming a well-known figure up and down the UK for their English country style sound and mix of pop culture as well. I feel like this is a band that worked so well with the Piecehall crowd and fit the mix perfectly with not just this show but the rest of the acts that were on through this 2026 line-up, so I wouldn’t be shocked if these girls were back next year.
Their performance, I thought, was fantastic, getting the crowd warmed up with timeless classics covered like gimme gimme gimme by ABBA and a few of their own records such as Delusional, Happier and More Than Ever. Alongside their amazing humour during each song performance, the band became an instant fan favourite and had the crowd all warmed up. Despite the heat, everyone looked to be having fun, bouncing around and enjoying their time during the show.
Up next we have Twin Atlantic - a Scottish rock band coming all the way down from Glasgow to open up for Mcfly tonight at the Peicehall and I was really excited for this band as I heard a lot of positive reactions and conversations with a big fan group before coming into the venue - I asked them what should I expect and they replied with a lot of jumping and hard hitting rock tracks and that’s exactly what they delivered during their performance tonight.
The band began with a few well-known tracks like Don’t Quit It, Crash Land, No Sleep, and Hold On. As well as this, the band debuted a new song from their upcoming album release called ‘Separation from the Animals’. They debuted a new track, which was released the day before, called In Your Eyes, which I thought was a brilliant song, and if that’s the standard of what’s to come from this album, then I will definitely be checking it out when it is released.
And finally, the main event! Mcfly take to the stage and these boys don’t mess about as soon as they take to the stage - the high energy levels shots through the roof and got everyone bouncing around so much during my time in the pit - they began with their tracks - Where did all the guitars go, land of the bees and one for the radio’ everyone was cheering bouncing around and the band was replicating this same energy as they’ve stated on many interviews that this is one of their favourite venues and love coming back and performing all the time at this venue.
Moving further into their set, they played a big mixture across their catalogue - playing songs like Star Girl, Room on the 3rd Floor, Shine a Light, Red and Forever's Not Enough, which was no surprise to see massive sections in the crowd with their hands up, singing to every lyric from each song. As well as this, the band performed a few cover classics as a surprise for the audience, like Living on a Prayer, 500 Miles, Radio Gaga, and Twist and Shout, which brought the energy levels to a whole new level despite it still being very humid weather conditions.
To finish their set list off, the band performed their encore, which featured the songs forevers not enough and 5 colours in her hair which concluded a successful night 1 for the band and people will from tonight will be thinking I need to be coming back for night 2 to experience this all over again - that's what this band does time and time again, leaving fans wanting more. Roll on night 2 for the band!
empire of the sun
Piece Hall, Halifax - 28th June 26
Review & photos - Martha Drake
Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun transformed Halifax’s The Piece Hall into a dazzling world of colour, fantasy and theatrical spectacle on Saturday evening, delivering a performance that felt just as much like an immersive stage production as it did a concert.
From the moment the opening notes rang out, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd erupted with excitement, immediately setting the tone for a night packed with energy, visual brilliance and hit after hit. With the historic courtyard bathed in warm summer sunshine before darkness fell, thousands of fans – many dressed in vibrant festival outfits and even elaborate Empire of the Sun-inspired costumes – created the perfect backdrop for one of the venue’s most visually ambitious performances.
Frontman Luke Steele made an unforgettable entrance, stepping off the stage early in the set to run along the front barrier, clapping fans’ hands and bringing the audience into the performance from the very beginning. It was a simple gesture that instantly established a connection between the band and the crowd.
Vocally, Steele was exceptional. His live vocals were remarkably faithful to the studio recordings, retaining the distinctive tone and ethereal quality that fans know so well. His use of live vocal effects through the microphone enhanced the futuristic feel without overpowering his natural voice, while the rest of the band provided rich backing vocals that added depth and texture throughout the performance.
The musicianship on display was equally impressive. Before launching into the set, each member of the live band was introduced individually, highlighting the close bond between the performers. Their chemistry was evident throughout the evening as they seamlessly blended electronic sounds with live instrumentation, creating a performance that felt polished yet full of genuine joy.
Empire of the Sun have long been known for their theatrical image, and the production certainly didn’t disappoint. A towering sculptural head dominated the stage, giving the impression that an epic story was about to unfold before the music had even begun. Throughout the night, enormous LED screens displayed vivid graphics inspired by Japanese art, futuristic landscapes and dreamlike animations, constantly changing to match the mood of each song.
Lighting played an enormous role in creating the experience. Brilliant washes of neon pink, electric blue, emerald green, fiery orange and deep purple flooded the stage, while lasers, strobes and moving spotlights transformed The Piece Hall into a kaleidoscope of colour. Every song felt visually unique, with the lighting perfectly complementing the band’s cinematic sound.
Costume design remains one of Empire of the Sun’s defining trademarks, and Steele once again embraced his larger-than-life persona. Wearing elaborate, highly detailed outfits featuring dramatic headpieces, flowing fabrics and metallic embellishments, he looked like a character from a futuristic fantasy film. The dancers matched his aesthetic with equally imaginative costumes, creating a visually unified cast that blurred the line between concert and theatre.
The pacing of the show never faltered. Between songs, dancers remained on stage in striking costumes, helping maintain momentum while adding another layer of visual storytelling. Rather than simply accompanying the music, they became an essential part of the performance, bringing movement and personality to every section of the set.
The audience interaction was another highlight of the evening. Several fans had arrived dressed to resemble Luke Steele himself, and one particularly convincing lookalike was invited onto the stage to help announce the next song, prompting laughter from both the crowd and the band. Later in the show, more audience members were brought up to dance alongside the costumed performers, creating one of the night’s most memorable and heartwarming moments.
The setlist balanced fan favourites with newer material, keeping the audience singing and dancing from beginning to end. Whether performing soaring anthems or atmospheric electronic tracks, Empire of the Sun demonstrated why they remain one of the most distinctive live acts in modern alternative pop.
Against the backdrop of the magnificent Piece Hall, the combination of stunning visuals, flawless musicianship, imaginative costumes and infectious audience engagement created an unforgettable summer evening. More than just a concert, Empire of the Sun delivered a complete sensory experience that celebrated creativity, escapism and the joy of live music.
royel otis
Piece Hall, Halifax - 25th June 26
Review & photos - Liam McEvoy
Bathed in glorious Yorkshire sunshine, Halifax's spectacular open-air venue Piece Hall provided the perfect backdrop for the Australian duo's effortlessly cool brand of indie rock, transforming the historic courtyard into one giant summer party.
Royel Otis took to the stage with minimal fuss but maximum confidence. By now, the pair have evolved far beyond viral covers and breakthrough festival slots. They arrived looking every bit the headline act they now are, delivering a tight, energetic set that balanced shimmering new material with fan favourites.
What makes Royel Otis so appealing live is the lack of pretence. Their songs drift between hazy dream-pop, jangly guitar hooks and slacker rock without ever feeling calculated. Royel Madden's bright, chiming guitar work provided the perfect foil for Otis Pavlovic's relaxed vocal delivery, creating a sound that somehow feels both laid-back and utterly infectious.
Newer tracks such as "Moody", "Car" and "Who's Your Boyfriend" landed with the confidence of future classics, while older favourites including "Adored", "Heading for the Door", "Kool Aid" and "Oysters in My Pocket" sparked some of the night's biggest singalongs. The audience barely stopped moving throughout the set, with every chorus met by raised hands and voices echoing around the sandstone walls.
The Piece Hall continues to prove itself as one of the UK's finest outdoor venues, and this band know exactly how to use its unique atmosphere. There were no elaborate visuals or theatrical flourishes—just excellent songs, a tight band and a genuine connection with an audience that seemed delighted to be there.
Perhaps the biggest compliment is that the evening never felt forced. Royel Otis have mastered the art of making great musicianship look effortless, gliding through a set packed with irresistible melodies and understated charm. It was indie music at its most enjoyable: relaxed, melodic and full of heart.
As the final chords rang out into the warm summer evening, the crowd departed with broad smiles and the unmistakable feeling they'd caught a band hitting their stride. Royel Otis may have built their reputation through streaming success and standout covers, but nights like this prove they're now more than capable of carrying a headline show on the strength of their own catalogue.
Setlist:
1. I hate this tune
2. Adored
3. Heading for the Door
4. Who’s your Boyfriend
5. Car
6. Kool Aid
7. Foam
8. Moody
9. Come on Home
10. Shut Up
11. She’s Got a Gun
12. More to Lose
13. Jazz Burger
14. Linger (The Cranberries Cover)
15. Motels
16. I Wanna Dance with You
17. Bull Breed
18. Fried Rice
19. Sofa King
20. Murder on the Dancefloor (Sophie Ellis-Baxtor cover)
21. Say Something
Encore
22. Sweet Hallelijah
23. Oysters in My Pocket
james arthur
Piece Hall, Halifax - 4th July
Review & photos - Chris Nutton
Wall of Sound is back once again for another live review down at the TK Maxx presents live at Piece Hall in Halifax, West Yorkshire. This time we have the global sensation James Arthur, who, since his X-Factor appearance in 2012, Mr Arthur has skyrocketed up the charts, growing his own fanbase and making his mark in the pop, R&B, and soul music genres.
The weather was a big disappointment as it chucked it down from the start of Ruby Pooles' performance all the way up until James Arthur finished his fourth song, but the great thing about the Piece Hall crowd is that it never dampens their music spirit. The crowd was dancing and showcasing all their love and support for each act tonight despite the torrential rain.
Up first, we had Ruby Poole, who, despite only playing a 15-minute set, kicked off the night in style with her incredible vocal performance in old and new tracks she has been working on. With the promise of new music soon and giving the fans a new taster in new music with her track ‘Back Up Plan ’, this is an artist I look forward to seeing more of in the future and hopefully get to enjoy a much longer set/ performance.
Next up, we had Ben Ellis, the Cardiff sensation, who took to the stage at the Piece Hall with his band and was a huge fan favourite in different sections of the packed-out Piece Hall crowd. They kicked things off with some new music from their most recent EP - the train where the time slows. Playing a mixture of different indie sounds across the set list, playing songs like ‘Does It Get Cold in California ‘, Eds House, End of Days, and many more. Overall, a very solid indie band and got the crowd in an upbeat and dancing mood.
The final support act of the night we have Jerub, Nigerian singer who specialises in pop and indie genres took to the stage at the Piece Hall dispite the weather taking a turn for the worst, the show continued and Jerub's performance was in my eyes was the best support act of the night with his unique vocal range blasting around the Piece Hall which immediately became a fan favourite, playing tracks like deeper, you and I, and feel it. This was an artist who really shocked me with how good a performer he is on stage, and it was shown across the Piecehall crowd tonight.
Finally, it’s time for the main event.
James Arthur took to the stage, and wow, what a start to his performance with probably the loudest crowd cheer and screaming I have ever heard out of any Piece Hall gig in my life. I already knew from that moment on that this was going to be a special night. He kicked off his set list with the songs " Water " and " Impossible, " and from the pit area, the screaming and cheering were next level; it was insane.
Moving further into the set list he switched up what was going to be played which was a lot of new music from an album he has been working on but instead chose to play a tonne of fan favourite tracks from his stacked catalog, such as rewrite the stars, cars outside, train wrecked, naked and falling like the stars blasting around across a lively packed Piece Hall crowd was something special to witness.
To conclude, this show was fantastic and a special night for the fans to see such a massive artist take the stage in their local town, and it shows the true pulling power of bigger musical artists coming and getting booked to play at the Piece Hall - this will not be the last time we see James Arthur in Halifax.
