Gurriers|Nerves
Where Else? Margate, Kent – Live Review
22nd October 2025

As storm Benjamin began wreaking its unholy havoc outside, 150 hardy souls hankered down in the blackened basement of Where Else? to see Gurriers deliver their own unruly squall. Fresh from a recent two day break, and a quick trip home for lead singer Dan, the band were refreshed and re-energised for their visit to the Kent coast. In the intimate surroundings of the rejuvenated independent venue, once saved from closure, in part, by lauded local celebrity Tracey Emin, Gurriers demonstrated why they are currently the must see live band of the moment.

Supporting their fellow Irishmen, and first up onto the cosy confines of the Where Else? stage were Nerves. The four piece from Counties Mayo and Wicklow delivered a brutal barrage of noise from the get-go. Lead singer and guitarist Kyle Thornton, dressed in a three-quarter length kilt, black tights, platform Dr Martens and a “Refugees Welcome” t-shirt, orchestrated proceedings from the front.

The ferocity of the performance focused the tightly packed crowd immediately as Eoin Keigher (Guitar), Ryan Mortell (Bass) and Kyle vied for floor space whilst drummer Adam Nealon seemingly remained calm and composed at the back. Kyle’s mop of corkscrew curls bounced around independently as he and Eoin thrashed about, missing each other with their guitar heads by millimetres. Conjuring up an intense and at times industrial Post-Punk collage, Nerves barely took a breath, only briefly turning down the dial for the delivery of the more atmospheric and considered six minutes of Act Of Contrition.

Kyle, shirt on, and eventually shirt off for the last three tracks, was on and off the stage and in and out of the crowd during a memorable performance which the band subsequently described as “one of the most fun (and sweaty shows) of the tour so far”. He thanked the audience, which at this point had definitely been warmed up; “you’ve been amazing”, he said before telling them that Gurriers are “gonna blow the bollocks off you”.

Gurriers strode onto stage at 9:15pm for a 55 minute, thirteen track set full of power, potency and poignancy. Sporting various shades of pastel Sambas, aside from outlier Charlie McCarthy on bass, who favoured a full-length lacy skirt and Docs, Gurriers were as coordinated in their delivery as they were in their footwear choices.

Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You introduced the band and provided a spontaneous sing-a-long, with Dan leading the impromptu choir in joyful voice. Current single Erasure opened up the set proper with Dan whipping up the crowd as he bounced on the spot, arms flung wide, encouraging them to join in as the first notes were played out.

Tonight’s sold out show, a curious mix of excitable teens and incorrigible dads, manifested a crowd in good voice as they joined together again to sing along on the next two tracks, Dipping Out and then a more snarly and unapologetically aggressive take on Close Call. Gurriers were on-point; wired but not wild; full throttle but not falling apart. This was a well coordinated, carefully choreographed demonstration of how to tame and channel a blistering sonic whirlwind.

“Performing songs off their debut album Come and See”, Gurriers did just that, choosing to play out all but one of the eleven songs (Prayers) from their first album. Each track, through Sign Of The Times, No More Photos and Interlude built up the energy and the heat within the tight parameters of the Where Else? basement. The intensity of the band’s performance was matched equally by the intensity of the mosh pit as dads and daughters barged and bounced together to the compelling soundtrack presented to them.

Fan favourite Top Of The Bill set up the debut album’s title track, Come And See, before Dan asked the crowd if they’d like a new one. As the cheers came back, Dan and his band ripped into the as yet unreleased track, Nothing Happens Twice. “Nothing is a blessing, nothing is a curse, before there was anything, there was nothing”, Dan Hoff belted out with an impassioned ferocity.

Three tracks remained. Although the crowd wanted more, Dan said if they’d stayed on stage any longer, “it’d kill them”. Closing out in style, Gurriers finished on a high with three of their biggest singles to date, Approachable, Des Goblin and finally 2023’s shredded banger, Nausea. The sweat was dripping from the faces of the band, the sweat was dripping down the backs of those who’d enjoyed the mayhem of the mosh pit, and by the time everyone filed out of the small doorway back upstairs, the sweat was dripping from the ceiling!

Believe the hype, Gurriers live is something you need to experience in person if you can.

~

You can find Gurriers online here: They’re also on
Facebook and X, as @gurriersband

You can find Nerves on Instagram here: They’re also on
X, as @nerves_ire

All words by Andrew Lockwood. More writing by Andrew Lockwood can be found at his author’s archive.

All photos by Aaron Thompson. AMP Photography