Holly Head supporting Westside Cowboy at Hope and Ruin, Brighton 07/07/2026

No live review of Westside Cowboy’s highly anticipated UK and Ireland tour should begin anywhere else but with their support act. For the three consecutive nights I caught the tour—in Bristol, Brighton, and Oxford—it was the Manchester-based quartet Holly Head who truly set the tone, delivering a masterclass in energetic, politically charged post-punk that left the early arrives utterly satisfied. 

 Walking into the venues, it was clear this leg of the tour was drawing a slightly older, more discerning crowd. This was particularly true in Brighton, a city renowned for its fiercely independent music scene, where the audience watched on with a knowing appreciation. As the set progressed, I overheard one punter remark to his friend that the experience was "a trip down memory lane." It’s a sentiment that rings true. Holly Head wears its influences with pride; the ghost of Manchester’s past lingers in the angular guitars and sprechgesang vocals, evoking the spirits of post-punk forefathers like The Fall and Wire. Yet this is no mere nostalgia act. 

The quartet’s sound is remarkably full and textured for a four-piece, a feat largely achieved by the rhythmic engine room. Drummer Oscar is a revelation, injecting a propulsive energy that owes as much to the polyrhythms of Afro-beat as it does to the traditional post-punk backbeat. This unique blend gives their music a driving, danceable groove that sits in stark contrast to the often-minimal aesthetic of their peers. 

 At the heart of the performance is the palpable chemistry between guitarist Josh and bassist Liam. Stationed on opposite sides of the stage, they engage in a constant, non-verbal dialogue, feeding off each other’s energy and locking into grooves that feel both tight and spontaneous. Liam’s bass playing is the secret weapon of this band. His hooks are impossibly catchy—the kind of earworms that burrow deep and refuse to leave. You find yourself humming them long after the band has left the stage, a testament to his melodic sensibility. 

 However, the focal point of the band is undoubtedly frontman Joe. His dominant, commanding vocals cut through the mix with precision, delivering lyrics that are as important as they are urgent. The set is woven together with a clear political thread, a call to arms that feels vital in the current climate. This message culminated in their closing number, "No Country Is an Island." 

 Now available on streaming services, the track serves as a perfect thesis statement for the band. It’s a powerful, anthemic piece that builds with intensity before crashing down around Joe’s forceful delivery. As a set closer, it provided a profound sense of completion, leaving the audience not just warmed up for the headliner, but feeling as though they had just witnessed a headline-worthy performance. If these three nights were anything to go by, Holly Head is a band on the cusp of something significant.