FOR FOLKS SAKE! BANJO-BOOMING BRÒGEAL BLOW THE BOLTS OFF IN STEEL CITY
LIVE REVIEW| BRÒGEAL w/ Denver County Council | SIDNEY & MATILDA, SHEFFIELD | 17th November 2025 by Isobel O’Mahony
Brògeal are the banjo-booming band on everyone’s lips, and after the release of debut album Tuesday Paper Club, the hunger for their Celtic folk-inspired rock has only grown. They restarted their UK tour in Sheffield this week at celebrated venue Sidney and Matilda, and those who didn’t believe the hype before certainly left with beaming faces and the high winds of a penny whistle rattling around their heads.
Manchester band Denver County Council warmed up an already packed room, their frontman decked in denim and every member having hair at least past their chin. Their sound matched the look for sure, a kind of Americana rock with a soulful yet indie flair, and a killer lead singer. The strong sound and music carried this immovable rasp, which, on later listens after the show, was delivering some pretty nice lyrics. Support slots are hard, and often rated by the immediate reaction after they come off stage. I heard no negative mumbles, instead a lot of ‘That was good, yeah’ and one (it took me a minute to get) ‘Big Up the DCC’.
Sometimes it feels like music loses its way; it starts to miss the atmosphere and become over-produced, nonsensical noise. I love a fun dance track as much as the next guy, but it doesn’t carry the feeling that Brògeals’ sound does. It’s reminiscent of The Pogues, harnessing that same reiteration of home – cosy, loving, and often bloody crazy.
The show as a whole was so warm, it was really sweaty in that room (sorry), but it was also incredibly welcoming. Opening with ‘Roving Falkirk Bairn‘ brought the crowd into their world, from the streets of South Yorkshire to the lowlands of Scotland. ‘Girl From NYC’ is a personal favourite, and just an oddly sweet ode to your small town. Every tune is laced with a cheekiness and a sense of joy that your body can’t ignore, whether it’s swaying, jumping, or full-on Irish dancing in the middle of the room (good luck getting your shoes to unstick from the floor, though).
They could never go to wrong, with mandolins, banjos, and songs about being in love and “getting pissed”, and the turn up for them was brilliant to see and not just in numbers. For such a young band, they’re attracting generations of fans, and I will say, us youngens are letting the dance scene down as the older crowd was, rightfully, going for it. ‘One for the Ditch’ is a cracking track, a classic Brògeal tune, and one of the audience’s favourites, along with ‘Friday on my Mind’ and ‘You’ll be Mine‘. The lads’ chat with the crowd made for a great performance, but never pretentious, teasing us into ‘Man Accused of Murder’ and defining a section as “the serious part of the show” for the beautiful tune ‘Go Home Tae Yer Bed’.
Too cool for an encore, they played the set straight through to a banger after banger finish. ‘Sunday Morning’ was followed by tout and album title track ‘Tuesday Paper Club’ and the record’s final tune, and The Fureys cover and classic ‘Lonesome Boatman’. The penny whistle was out, hats were flying off, and every chaotic sound blended perfectly. Throughout, the vocals were on the glorious edge of lilting, taking you to a sound forever loved and, clearly, never forgotten. These boys are not Scotland’s answer to, or ghosts of , The Pogues, but a carry on of traditions, legacy, and a testament to the true art of getting pissed and having a sing (brings a tear to the eye).
The old adage, ‘three chords and the truth’, might be true for country. But in folk, in this from the heart and the hills joyfully moving music, give me (at least) six instruments and a good story. Brògeal deliver that to their audience on a tin-whistle platter, showing off their impressive musical talents, captivating storytelling, and rallying spirit, all whilst staying the humble five lads from Falkirk – what a bunch of arseholes.
5/5
