Qulture Magazine

Edinburgh’s own alt-rock sensations, Oh Romance, proved exactly why they were nominated for Indie, Rock and Alternative Live Artist of the Year 2024 with an amazing, sold-out performance at Sneaky Pete’s on the 15th May.

The intimate venue based in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old town, known for its electric atmosphere, was absolutely buzzing as the trio delivered a set that was nothing short of thrilling.

From the moment they hit the stage, Oh Romance commanded the crowd’s attention. Their raw energy was infectious, fueling the crowd to dance along to every guitar riff and thumping drum beat. The band’s signature blend of soaring melodies and gritty alt-rock anthems filled every corner of Sneaky Pete’s, showcasing the tight musicianship and chemistry that has seen them rapidly rise through Scotland’s music scene. Tracks like “It’s Not Fair!” – which they’ve described as “a punch in the face” – were phenomenal in a live setting, demonstrating their ability to craft powerful, fast-paced, and loud tunes that resonate with their audience. The crowd sang along to every tune, hands in the air, a testament to the band’s growing catalogue of fan favourites.

Singer and lead guitarist Alex Campbell, even left the stage near the end of their set to be at one with the crowd who swarmed and danced around him while he was playing. He asked everyone at the end to shout out suggestions for an encore after everyone chanted for one more song, and the results were unanimous as everyone screamed for them to play their single ‘Tongue-Tied’ which has an instrumental build up to a super catchy chorus! It was already a hit with the crowd earlier in their set.

The evening was made even better by a fantastic lineup of support acts, each bringing their unique flavour to the Sneaky Pete’s stage. Moonlight Academy, a London-based indie-rock band, kicked off the night with their emotional lyrics and a sound that blends alt rock and pop. Their huge hooks, brashy guitars, and rhythmic drums got the crowd warmed up nicely, touching on nostalgic themes of youth and finding your way in the world. Having previously supported Oh Romance and played their first Edinburgh show at Sneaky Pete’s, they were a familiar and welcome sight for many.

Next up were The Froobz, an all-female three-piece, kick ass punk rock band. Known for their direct, punchy, and edgy sound, The Froobz delivered a high-energy set that showcased their growing reputation in the Scottish music scene. Their performance was a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, setting the stage perfectly for the main act. They are always a joy to see live and are guaranteed to entertain. Stand out songs for me are always hits of theirs like ‘Big Boy’ and ‘Parasite’. I love that this band stay a hundred percent true to themselves and it shows in every show they perform.

Finally, Fog Bandits – an alternative metal four-piece from Glasgow – brought their “in-your-face” and unique tracks to the stage. With a sound that has been described as a musical concoction ‘if Queens of the Stone Age and My Chemical Romance went on a night out in Glasgow’. They ignited the venue with their non-stop energy, heavy riffs, and amazing crowd interaction. Their performance demonstrated why they’ve been garnering attention on radios across the UK, including BBC Introducing and why they were selected to support the amazing metal/rock band Vukovi recently, where they got to play on one of the biggest stages in Glasgow at the SWG3.

With such strong support from so many talented bands, the night was a perfect showcase of exciting and raw talent from Scotland and beyond.

Oh Romance, however, were the undisputed headliners, proving once again that rock and roll is very much alive and kicking in Edinburgh, especially when these guys are on stage. Their performance was an epic display of how they’ve affirmed their place as a must-see act around the local scene. If you weren’t there, you need to check them out when they next play a gig near you. All in all, a top class night of music!