“WESTSIDEEE COWBOYYY” someone in the crowd shouts mimicking the opening to the group’s debut track as they begin picking up their instruments. Dramatically facing backwards as they begin, Westside Cowboy open with a polished cover of ‘Midnight Cowboy’ by Santo & Jonny that feels like a slow build up or even a tease before they burst into their debut single ‘I Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Till I Met You).’
Not only the band’s most streamed track but also the one that immediately boosted them onto every magazine’s radar even when it was their only release, the song is home to everything the group thrive off. With fiery guitar riffs tangled into intense vocals, the song is a masterpiece especially the final verse where Aoife O’Connell & Reuben Haycocks sing different lyrics at once, it’s a little heartfelt yet very fierce.
While there’s many things that have gained the group masses of attention it’s unique that they don’t really have a lead singer and on the lively track “Alright Alright Alright” it’s now Jimmy Bradbury’s turn to take on vocals. Despite still being very fast-paced the single feels less heavy and it’s easy to notice country inspirations embedded while still being backboned by rock hooks.
“You’re scaring me now” the audience belt the lyrics to ‘Drunk Surfer’ so loud it literally jump scares the band and makes them look at each other with big smiles, happy their lyrics are resonating with so many people. The crowd continues being animated, “Imagine a drone sound” Haycocks says when his pedal breaks and quickly fans make a loud humming noise trying to replace it.
‘Don’t Throw Rocks’ a standout track from their recent EP ‘So Much Country Till We Get There’ almost feels nostalgic like the sort of blissful song you’d drive around blasting in summer. Soon as the opening chords are played it’s apparent that it’s a fan favourite. “This feels so much better than London” they admit, astonished by the room’s enthusiasm.
Nearing what should be the end of the set, the group gathers centre stage for ‘In The Morning.’ One guitar, one singular drum and all four members voices sound into one mic, something I’ve never seen done before but something which really works.
After what should be the final song, they stroll off stage but the audience clearly aren’t ready for the show to finish. They simply don’t move, everyone is shouting, begging for one more song. Unable to ignore the chants, the group are backed by a cheer as they re-enter the room. “We don’t do this ever and we don’t have a lot of songs so we’ll have to have a repeat but you asked for it” laughs Haycocks.
Finishing where they started, ‘I Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Till I Met You)’ makes a grand return. No song could top this one to end a gig, I saw someone describe it saying “this song makes me wanna run and confess my love to anyone I’ve ever liked” a feeling conveyed by the intense emotion in fans voices as they belt out the words.
Westside Cowboy are ultimately a band who do things their own way, get lost in the moment and don’t try to over polish what they’ve created and that energy is obvious when they are on stage.
