Wow, what a night at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth!

After a summer full of festivals, stepping back into a theatre can feel a little nerve-wracking — it’s such a different atmosphere (no beers or bras flying through the air!). But Portsmouth crowds are something else; you bring that same festival energy every time, and it honestly feels electric.

We’re pretty sure this was our fifth sold-out show at this beautiful theatre. The staff are always a joy to work with, and the audience makes it a night to remember. This one was extra special: we celebrated countless birthdays, including our old guitarist Johnny’s, and shared an emotional moment with a family honouring their father, a lifelong Queen fan who sadly passed away. It was also his granddaughter’s 21st — another huge Queen fan. Wishing her a happy birthday while dedicating Who Wants to Live Forever to the family was a real privilege. They also requested Made in Heaven — a track we haven’t performed yet but are excited to bring into the set next year.

It was also an honour to be Josh’s very first gig. Every time someone tells us it’s their first-ever live concert, it’s genuinely humbling to know we’re the first band they’ve seen on stage.

On a personal note, the New Theatre Royal means even more to me because my grandfather was a director here many years ago. To now be performing on that stage with family history in the walls makes it feel even more special.

We felt right at home. With more time to set up than at festivals, everything clicked — we could hear ourselves perfectly and play at our absolute best. It really did feel like we’d been rehearsing all summer just for that show.

Massive thanks to everyone who came along and to those who keep coming back to see us. What a fantastic way to kick off our winter theatre run and the upcoming international shows. We can’t wait to be back in Portsmouth — and yes, we’ll have some new songs in the set!

Cheers, and see you next time.