O2 Academy Brixton – 18th February 2026
Being back at the O2 Academy Brixton really showcased how far The Beaches have come since their early days playing smaller rooms. On the UK leg of their No Hard Feelings tour, from the first notes of Last Girls at the Party, the band grabbed the venue by the jugular, delivering that propulsive, guitar-driven rock they’ve become known for with a sense of assurance that belied the fact this tour has been rolling for weeks.
You could hear the crowd joining in on every shouted line from the start, and that communal singalong pushed everything forward in a way that made the Brixton feel like part of the performance. On record, Last Girls at the Party is slick and knowing. Live, it’s louder, rougher round the edges, and better for it.
The Beaches are a Canadian rock band from Toronto and made up of Jordan Miller on vocals and bass, Kylie Miller on guitar, Leandra Earl on guitar and drums and Eliza Enman-Mclean handling drums and backing vocals. They blend punchy guitar hooks with sharp, witty lyrics that often explore relationships and modern life with a cheeky edge.
What stood out across the night was how tight the band sounded. The guitars cut cleanly through the mix, the rhythm section kept everything driving forward, and the vocals carried both the bite and the humour that define their writing. Touch Myself landed early and confidently, while Me and Me felt almost defiant in this setting, its self aware lyrics met with thousands of raised voices. Cigarette followed with a gritty snap, sounding less polished and more urgent than the studio version.
There’s a fine line with witty, tongue in cheek songwriting. In the wrong hands it can feel forced. Here, it never did. Shower Beer was scrappy and loud in the best way and the audience lapped it up.
Mid set, Fine Let’s Get Married and Dirty Laundry added a bit more bite. Can I Call You in the Morning shifted the mood slightly, hazier and more reflective, before more upbeat hits kicked things back up again.
Everything Is Boring drew one of the biggest singalongs of the night, its dry humour clearly resonating with a British crowd that appreciates a bit of self deprecation. Lesbian of the Year felt celebratory and was sung with crystal clear vocals, sounding absolutely gorgeous and embraced fully by a crowd that knew every line.
Jocelyn offered breathing space, stretching out melodically and showing there’s more to this band than punchlines and punchy riffs. They even invited an audience member on stage to share one of their embarrassing stories which got huge cheers. Takes One to Know One snapped the focus back, setting up the final stretch of the main set.
Blame Brett arrived late and was worth the wait. It’s the song that’s pushed them into a bigger spotlight, and live it explodes. The chorus was deafening, Brixton practically taking over vocal duties. There’s something satisfying about hearing a track that’s streamed endlessly through headphones become this huge communal moment.
The encore sealed it. Sorry For Your Loss kept the momentum high, before Last Girls at the Party returned for a closing lap that felt completely earned. Staging was basic. There were no gimmicks or overblown production, just sharp songs delivered with conviction with instruments and vocals totally on point.
Special mention to the support act, Dea Matrona, who delivered a punchy, riff heavy set that felt tailor made for a Friday night in Brixton (even though it was a Wednesday). Their bluesy edge and tight harmonies pulled people away from the bars early on. By the end of their slot the floor was packed, and the crowd had properly locked in. It set the standard nicely without overshadowing what was to come.
At Brixton, The Beaches No Hard Feelings Tour sounded like a band stepping confidently into their next chapter, and the crowd was right there with them. They deserve every success.
The Beaches tour review – 5 stars
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