Divorce - Live Review

Divorce Kicks Off 'Drive to Goldenhammer' Tour 2025 with a Bang at The Bullingdon, Oxford

On a warm March evening, The Bullingdon in Oxford buzzed with anticipation as fans gathered for the inaugural night of Divorce's 'Drive to Goldenhammer' Tour 2025. The Nottingham-based quartet - vocalist and bassist Tiger Cohen-Towell, co-vocalist and guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow, lead guitarist Adam Peter-Smith, and drummer Kasper Sandstrom - took the stage, marking the beginning of their journey to promote their debut album of the same name.

The atmosphere was electric as the band members greeted the sold-out crowd. Felix, with a playful grin, pointed to the stage backdrop and quipped, "I painted this myself, hence I now have a lot of blue socks." The audience chuckled, appreciating the band's down-to-earth demeanor. Tiger added, "It's the first night, so expect a few mistakes," eliciting more laughter and setting a relaxed, communal tone for the evening.

Divorce's setlist was a well-curated mix of tracks from their debut album, 'Drive to Goldenhammer,' and earlier releases. They opened with "Antarctica," drawing the audience into their world of alt-country and indie rock fusion. Highlights included "All My Freaks," a sprawling synth-fest that playfully critiques the pursuit of public approval, and "Fever Pitch," showcasing their instrumental charm intertwined with themes of relationship turmoil. The main set concluded with "Lord," a track that delves into personal exploration and has been noted for its heartfelt storytelling.

After a brief moment offstage, the band returned for an encore, delivering heartfelt renditions of "Mercy" and "Checking Out." The former, with its gentle acoustic strumming and lush harmonies, harkened back to their country-inspired roots, providing a soothing contrast to the evening's earlier high-energy numbers.

Throughout the 75-minute set, Divorce demonstrated their musical versatility and genuine connection with the audience. Tiger shared a personal anecdote about receiving a negative fortune cookie over dinner, adding a touch of intimacy to the performance. The band's willingness to embrace imperfections and share candid moments made the concert feel like a gathering of friends rather than a formal show.

As the first night of the 'Drive to Goldenhammer' Tour, this performance at The Bullingdon set a promising tone for the journey ahead. With their debut album already receiving positive reviews for its blend of country, indie-rock, folk, and chamber pop, Divorce is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene.

For those who missed the Oxford show, the tour continues across the UK, offering ample opportunities to experience Divorce's captivating live performances.

• March 28 - Strange Brew, Bristol
• March 29 - The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
• March 31 - Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
• April 01 - The Workman's Club, Dublin
• April 03 - Gorilla, Manchester
• April 04 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
• April 05 - Stereo, Glasgow
• April 08 - Chalk, Brighton
• April 09 - KOKO, London

Opening act Dug, who had flown in that morning for their first-ever show in England, warmed up the audience with their unique blend of folk and rock. Despite joking about their limited repertoire and how they'd fill their set, they delivered a captivating performance. The band joked about the name Doug with the audience - and said any Doug's will get into their shows for free - forever! As well as discount on merch... Their set concluded with an unexpected folk-style mosh pit, leaving the crowd energized and ready for the main event.