Big Special - Live at Electric Bristol, 24th February 2026

The state of bands in 2026.

The Big Special-curated bill for their tour is impressive. On the back of their well-received second album and some standalone singles, the duo are gathering momentum.

Both support acts, GANS and Good Health Good Wealth, released debut albums last year but haven’t done much touring in support, presumably for reasons of expense.

As such, this tour feels less like a traditional gig and more like a state of the nation address for bands in 2026.

Seven musicians across three bands (one pulling a double shift), made up of two ‘drummers’, two ‘guitarists’ (three if you count Big Special’s Joe Hicklin when he straps one on for a couple of songs), two singers, one saxophonist and barely any bass guitar to speak of.

Of course, they are all doing much more than play just one instrument; they whiz back and forth in their own space on stage, turning dials or pressing keys.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/big-special-electric-bristol-review/