Manchester band ‘The Guest List’ delivered a dynamic and atmospheric performance
to fans at Sheffield’s Sidney and Matilda on the last show of their 2025 tour.
The band initially gained popularity through their social media presence beginning in 2022,
producing a range of Tiktok covers of indie classics. From there, they have only gotten bigger, becoming the supporting act for iconic artists such as Two Door Cinema Club, Blossoms, Inhaler and The Wombats. And now, in 2025, The Guest list have proven themselves in their own sold-out UK tour.
Reminiscent of legendary indie bands from Fontaines DC to the Arctic Monkeys, The Guest List perfectly captured the juxtaposition between the cool, care-free spirit and the deep, raw emotion of the indie rock genre.
Led by lead vocalist Cai Alty, they opened the gig with their new single “Ruine”. The song combined psychedelic guitar riffs with beautifully crafted lyrics, “If love is a cage, you’re the master / I’m the key, your key”. This trend of catchy rhythms and raw vocals continued in notable numbers like ‘Mary’ and ‘Plasticine Heart’.
However, a softer approach was taken in ‘161’. The acoustic lullaby used soft minor chords producing a more melancholic feeling as the story of “the souls of Chapel Street” gently serenaded the audience. This was a nice addition to the setlist, adding a touch of innocence and sentiment to contrast the typical rock feel, illuminating the incredible songwriting talents of Alty.
Of course the set list concluded with their most popular tune ‘Weatherman’ which was sure to have everybody singing their hearts out, left begging for more – and The Guest List answered everyone’s prayers. In order to commemorate their final show of the tour, the band performed an acoustic encore to another fan-favourite, ‘London’, in a smaller room at the back of the venue to end the night. This intimate moment was the perfect addition to the already amazing show, connecting with fans as they performed their final song with the same energy and enthusiasm as the first.
It is certain to say that The Guest List have truly proved themselves as arguably one of the
best new indie rock bands out there. Reiterating what The Rolling Stone said about the
band: “The guest list for, err, The Guest List, is about to grow at lightning speed.”
9/10
