Red Rum Cub: North American Tour 2026

The room at Brighton Music Hall has always had a way of making rising bands feel like they’re on the verge of something bigger, and on April 28, that feeling was everywhere. A packed Allston crowd showed up early, buzzing for a double bill that paired a fast-rising UK act with a local opener who felt like a star in the making.

Opening the night, Ollie Gullick stepped onstage with the kind of confidence you usually see much later in an artist’s career. Born in the UK and later moving to Boston to study at Berklee, Gullick has been quietly building momentum in the local scene with emotionally driven songwriting and high-energy performances. His music pulls from themes of identity and change, shaped by time spent between countries and cultures .

But what stood out most wasn’t just the songwriting, it was the presence. There were flamboyant, theatrical touches woven into the set: dramatic movements and bold vocal delivery that instantly reminded me of Måneskin, an old favorite of mine currently on hiatus. Gullick channeled that same fearless energy, blurring the line between indie rock and full-on rockstar spectacle.

Red Rum Club took the stage shortly after. The Liverpool-born band, formed in 2016, has steadily climbed from indie beginnings to UK chart success, with multiple Top 10 albums including Western Approaches (2024) and Buck (2025) . Their sound, often described as a kind of “Mariachi Merseybeat,” blends indie rock with trumpet-driven flair and a cinematic sense of scale.

That signature mix translated perfectly live. Gritty guitar lines collided with punchy rhythms, while the band’s personal charm, equal parts Americana road-trip and UK indie grit, gave the set a unique, zesty feel. You could hear echoes of their extensive touring history, from UK festivals like Glastonbury to supporting major acts like The Wombats .

Despite being early in their North American tour run, the band played with the confidence of the seasoned headliners that they are. Frontman Fran Doran led the scene with charisma, but it was the full-band chemistry that elevated the show, tight, energetic, and clearly honed over years of performing together.

What made the night special was the sense of trajectory. Gullick felt like the beginning of something, while Red Rum Club felt like a band already mid-takeoff, bringing UK momentum to a Boston room that thrives on discovering what’s next. At a venue with deep roots in Boston’s live music history, this show fit right in. It was loud, sweaty, and alive with possibility.