Following the release of their self-titled debut album this year, 86TV’s are on the road across the UK and Europe for the last time until 2026.
Going into this show, I didn’t check out the support act except a couple of clips on X, and I was so pleased I’d left the full Mickey Callisto experience to unfold infant of my eyes.
A lively humorous performance from the Sunderland born Mickey taking the stage without his band (as he can’t afford to pay them for the tour) so just backed with a keyboard. Each song was introduced with a tale, which took the banter up a notch, when he smelt out some Geordies in the crowd. I won’t repeat what was said here…
The biggest songs of the night were ‘Destructive Love’ and the gay anthem ‘Homospace’ which resulted in a topless Mickey strutting around the stage in his flamboyant style.
Mickey Callisto really is a unique performer, and I recommend you check him out!
A now it was time for the headline act, I had a feeling of bittersweetness going into this show. I’ve been a massive fan of 86TV’s since their inception and it back in 2022 when I caught them supporting Jamie T when I fell in love with their songs.
Its been great to see the band carve out a place in the modern music scene without having to rely on ‘just being a band made up of former The Maccabee’s members’
So when it was announced that The Maccabee’s were reforming in 2025 and that this would be the end of 86TV’s for now it made these shows feel all the more special. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a massive fan of The Maccabees, and it was this same venue I last saw the band perform together so it was quite a nice tie up.
The band entered onstage and was met with cheers, egged on by Felix White who is a great hype man during the set to get the crowd fired up with vertical hand movements.
The connection the band have being 3 brothers is evident to see who walk around the stage and show the love for each other as they swap lead vocals for the different tracks on the set list. Special praise to drummer Jamie who didn’t miss a beat all show and looked to be having the time of his life behind the drums.
Jamie will also be moving onto bigger shows after this tour with other band The Stereophonics.
The songs from the album all sounded amazing live, and was great to hear quite a few of the bigger hits being sung back to the band, tracks like ‘Worn Out Buildings’, ‘Someone Else’s Dream’ and then some suprise songs, mainly ‘Apple Tree’ from the deluxe version of the album – which was almost sung to perfection expect the Birmingham crowd mixing up their oranges and cherries.
The band played for just under an hour and left the Birmingham crowd clambering for more – This might be the last we see 86TV’s for a while but they won’t be forgotten and I can’t see to see the guys again back in 2026.
The tour continues through the end of November ending on December 1st at Leeds Brudnell Social – https://www.86tvsband.com/#tour
Catch Felix and Hugo back with The Maccabees at their giant show at All Points East in August 2025 – https://www.allpointseastfestival.com/events/the-maccabees-sun-24-august/
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