Gig review: Westside Cowboy at Rough Trade

I had the privilege of seeing Westside Cowboy perform on the main stage at Bearded Theory in May, but somehow, just a few months later, in the intimate setting of Rough Trade, they sounded even better.

What I loved most about this show wasn't only the musical performance, but the whole atmosphere inside the venue. Song after song, the crowd sang along with passion and feeling, while people of all ages danced, clapped and showed their enthusiasm for the band. One of the things I really enjoy about Rough Trade is that it welcomes bands who have played on big stages for huge crowds, while still giving them the opportunity to perform in a much more intimate space. There is something magical about that. You feel more connected to the band. You see them, they see you, you hear them and, in a way, they hear you, too.

You can tell when a band has made an impact, and that was certainly the case here. There was a genuine excitement running through the room, with the audience giving as much energy back to the band as they were receiving. The Manchester band is formed of Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O'Connell and Paddy Murphy, and there is something really satisfying about watching the four members play together. They each bring their own presence to the stage, but it never feels like one member is trying to overpower the others. Their instruments complement each other naturally, building the songs layer by layer and giving them both energy and depth. At times, the sound feels full and powerful, while at others, the band knows when to hold back and let a particular voice or instrument come through. That balance between the four is one of the things that makes watching them live so enjoyable.

Musically, I also really enjoy how they move from one member of the band to the other singing. Aoife's voice, whenever she joins in, is just magical. There is something about it that intrigued me the first time I saw them, and it continues to do so. That was particularly evident during Shells — one of my favourite moments of the night. It began with Aoife singing on her own, creating a beautifully calm moment before the rest of the band joined in. Then the crowd joined, too, with everyone singing together. It was a simple moment, but absolutely beautiful.

This band do not spend much time talking to the crowd, moving fairly quickly from one song to the next. But when they do break from the music, it is enough to get laughs and brief interactions from the audience. They do not need to fill every silence with conversation, allowing the music and the crowd's reaction to do most of the talking.

The setlist drew heavily from their latest album, It Goes On, released in 2026, as well as their 2026 EP, So Much Country Till We Get There. Songs including Kick Stones (the boys), Paperchains, Pinup Boys, Coyote, and Died There on the Dancefloor gave the crowd plenty to get behind. 

But while the music itself was enough to make the night memorable, it was the connection between Westside Cowboy and their audience that stood out most. From the quiet beauty of Shells to the songs that had the entire room singing, dancing and clapping, the band showed just how much they have developed — and why they are a band worth keeping an eye on.

@westsidecowboyyy

Westside Cowboy performed at Rough Trade on 3 September 2026.