Gig review: Noahfinnce at Rescue Rooms

Opening the evening, indigenous artist Chloe Star won over the crowd with a mix of infectious energy and playful charm. A few songs into her set, she paused to double-check she was pronouncing Nottingham correctly, drawing laughs and cheers from the audience. Visually, the performance was just as striking, with her microphone stand wrapped in bandanas displaying the colours of the Pride flag, reflecting the inclusive spirit that runs through her music and stage presence. Backed by upbeat anthems and confident vocals, Chloe delivered a lively introduction to the night and proved a perfect choice to kick off the show.

Los Angeles-based duo senses, self-described as “emo-friendly, punk-curious”, were up next and quickly connected with the Nottingham crowd, with vocalist and guitarist Madison Taylor remarking that more people seemed familiar with the band than at any other stop on the tour so far, after asking for a show of hands. That warm reception was repaid with a set packed full of crowd pleasing anthems and relentless enthusiasm from both Taylor and drummer Nick Sampson. Tracks Better Than This and Tiptoeing had the audience moving from the outset, while new single Patterns went down particularly well.

After two impressive support acts, anticipation was high for NOAHFINNCE’s arrival. The set began with a dramatic spoken-word voiceover touching on resistance, anti-AI sentiments and distrust of government, setting the tone before the band launched straight into MR OVERWHELM. Behind them sat a charmingly DIY stage set of cardboard television screens surrounded by glow-in-the-dark stars and moons, giving the performance a bedroom-pop aesthetic that matched Noah’s online roots.

Nottingham’s enthusiasm clearly caught the band off guard as well. At one point Noah admitted he “didn’t expect Nottingham to be so rowdy”, a comment that only encouraged the audience to increase the volume more. The connection between performer and crowd reached another level during WONKY, the title track from the forthcoming album due for release in February. Dividing the room roughly down the middle, Noah instructed one side to shout “Is anybody else?” and the other to reply with “Why am I this way?”, creating one of the evening’s standout moments.

From there, the setlist barely paused for breath, moving through fan favourites LIFE'S A BIT, GROWING UP ON THE INTERNET, PET WITH THE TISM, and GIBBERISH. Noah was joined by Charlie on bass and acoustic guitar and Matt on drums, with the trio delivering the material with a confidence that reflected just how far the project has come in recent years.

As ever, Noah balanced humour with more serious moments. One of the loudest reactions of the evening came when he asked the crowd, “Anyone hate what JK Rowling has done to the transgender community?”, prompting a huge response from the packed venue. The sense of inclusivity and community that runs through NOAHFINNCE’s music was evident throughout the night, with fans singing back almost every word.

Closing with TOO SENSITIVE, Asthma Attack and WORMS (In My Brain), NOAHFINNCE left Rescue Rooms having delivered exactly what fans had hoped for: an evening of cathartic pop-punk, unfiltered honesty and infectious energy. With WONKY on the horizon and a Nottingham crowd fully behind him, the future looks anything but overwhelming.

@noahfinnce

NOAHFINNCE performed at Rescue Rooms on 26 October 2026