On a night when most of the UK was being battered by Storm Benjamin, stepping outside felt like a questionable life choice. Weather warnings pinging every hour, trains being cancelled left and right, it was one of those nights where the universe seemed to whisper, “just stay home.” But sometimes, the pull of live music is stronger than the storm. And for myself and everyone else who made it to New Century Hall, Spanish Love Songs offered something we all desperately needed – warmth, catharsis, and a little proof that shared heartbreak sounds better out loud.
First up was Sincere Engineer, who drew an impressively large crowd for the first opener of the evening. Usually a four piece hailing from Chicago, tonight it was just Deanna Belos standing solo under the lights. One voice, one guitar, and a room full of people who immediately leaned in. Stripped back as it was, nothing felt missing. Her blend of pop punk, emo, and folk music hit just as hard, only now you could really hear the cracks of honesty in every word. The highlight for me came with Trust Me, a singalong that felt like a shared secret between friends. Hearing people shout back every lyric, while others stood wide eyed and newly converted. A great opener.
Next up were Kali Masi, another Chicago export and, for me, a first time live experience. If Sincere Engineer cracked hearts open gently, Kali Masi grabbed you by the collar. Their sound walks a clever tightrope between melodic punk and reflective rock, full of sharp turns and emotional weight without losing its sense of fun. Songs like Paint Me Jade and Some Friends showcased their knack for fusing introspection with intensity. Their songs might be about intense issues such as emotional abuse, friendships, and personal wreckage, but they carry it with grit and melody, like they’ve learned to dance through the ache. Punk rock with heart and conscience, and the perfect warm up for what was to come.
Then came The Dirty Nil, and the mood tilted again. From Canada, the trio brought swagger and melancholy in equal measure. I was hyped to finally see these guys live after I heard their new album “The Lash” in July, and didn’t hate it, which is always a pretty good sign for me. They were thunderous, tight, and effortlessly charismatic, working the crowd like seasoned pros. For all their depressive undertones, their set was exhilarating. Tight as hell, charming in that rock ’n’ roll way that never feels forced, and full of charisma, they turned the venue into a joyous riot. For all their swagger and showmanship, what stood out most was the sincerity, you could tell they really care about the people in front of them. When a band’s having that much fun, you can’t help but meet them there.
By the time Spanish Love Songs took the stage, the storm outside felt like a distant memory. There’s something almost spiritual about their live presence, the way despair and hope constantly wrestle in every song. They opened with the live debut of Heavenhead, bringing Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer back out to join them on stage. From there, it was back-to-back catharsis. Every lyric hit like a bruise pressed gently, familiar, aching, and necessary. Frontman Dylan Slocum’s voice carried that perfect mix of exhaustion and conviction. The energy shifted constantly, swelling with Generation Loss, breaking hearts with Kick, and rising again with Haunted. At one point, the band laughed about the contrast in the room: some people crying, some laughing, others dancing shirtless. You could feel the collective exhale, that strange relief that comes from shouting along to songs with strangers about everything you wish you could fix.
The California five-piece saved the very best for last. Skipping the usual forced encore routine, they closed out with a stunning combo of Clean-Up Crew and Brave Faces, Everyone. It’s remarkable to see Spanish Love Songs command a room of this size with music built on emotional honesty rather than spectacle. They’re a reminder that even when everything feels impossible, you’re not the only one feeling it. Their sound isn’t built for mainstream radio, it’s built for connection, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, it’s paying off. I can’t wait to see them again.
