“As always, the atmosphere, crowd engagement and stage presence was electric - not just from Scouting For Girls, but from their lovely supports - The Souls & Billy Lockett” - Show Review - By The Fans

Words & Review: Grace Wearn

Photography Credit: Grace Wearn

Scouting For Girls.. what a band. For a band that’s almost having its 20th year anniversary, they’re still such a timeless band. The first time I caught the band live’ was at Hyde Park British Summertime Festival back in 2014, I have such fond memories of hearing and singing along to “She’s So Lovely” on the ferris wheel with my friends. To fast forward to now - 2026, being fortunate enough to be their only approved Photographer for my hometown show and the same day as their album release, at Portsmouth Guildhall. As always, the atmosphere, crowd engagement and stage presence was electric - not just from Scouting For Girls, but from their lovely supports - The Souls & Billy Lockett.

The Souls - they’re an incredibly talented band I’d describe as an alternative indie-rock, with elements in contrast to the band Mumford & Sons and another band - Lemon Straw but also within the alt-rock side through elements of the band’ Deaf Havana , but also equally sonically elements similar within The Devlins.

We were fortunate enough to have a chat with them after bumping into them in the venue, they’re Swiss - so naturally we spoke about dynamics of British weather with them compared to Swiss (as if you couldn’t hear anything more British from me!).

They’ve been a band for around 20 years, played alongside some of my favourite bands - the 1975 and kodaline (to name a few!) and based on watching their set as an opener, their harmonies are almost angelic - it works, and I can only imagine this is a demonstration of their success over the past 20 years, but also their kindness towards having a chat briefly with us. They played an equal balance of both covers and original songs blended with those smooth guitar rhythms but also unreal crowd engagement. They have this picturesque cool, indie-rock vibe with lots of leather, definitely ones to continue to watch!

They also expressed a great admiration and gratitude for equally Scouting For Girls, but also all of the Touring Crew - that can be often overlooked, every member from load in/load crew that build the stages and set up, sound engineers, tour bus drivers, photographers & creatives, lighting engineers, security, tour managers etc. We are in great awe for not only the band recognising all of the crew behind the scenes but also the appreciation, without the crew and the fans - there would be no show!

Billy Lockett was on to play next and what a set! My assumption is that he was already known to the fans chanting in the audience, perhaps new fans from the tour or equally consistent fans that happened to catch him at a Scouting For Girls gig, or even fans that came just to see Billy play, who knows! Nevertheless his set was incredible. He opened with a slower piano ensemble accompanied his raw, stripped-back and emotional - vocals.

He had a song on the setlist that he played, called “Things Are Looking Up”, which is about the navigation of grief and both themes of moving forward whilst carrying that loss but also, hope. Both themes I can very much resonate with myself; as a Woman in her late twenties, navigating both grief and loss, but also trying to move forward with life’s sometimes off-course curveballs but still hold that glimmer of hope. Through incredible harmonies throughout and heartfelt, raw songs - Billy’s set was nothing short of emotional. I would also like to add that he is an impressive storyteller within crowd engagement and meaning and motive behind his written artistry.

Next up was … of course, Scouting For Girls! And my god, what a show! One of the first songs involved a video camera live streaming the footage back to the screen and tv screens on stage, I managed to capture a photo - where you can also see me on the screen.

Was almost like the Spiderman meme where they’re all pointing to each-other, I’ll insert that meme below.. definitely a first for me.

I’ve been fortunate enough to catch Scouting For Girls live a number of times over the years, and their crowd engagement is always above and beyond; but for me at the show, as a Photographer - for Roy (Scouting For Girls lead singer) to interact as much as he did for me photographing but also the fans - was beyond anything I could’ve asked for.

You couldn’t help but crack a smile, Scouting For Girls are one of those bands that just have those timeless ballads! Regardless of whether you’re a fan before the gig or not, I can almost guarantee you will be after. Even as a Photographer, and of course a fan - it was super lovely just to see so much joy, on the fans faces especially from equal interaction.

They played a mix of both the classics, with the majority from “Everybody Wants To Be On Tv”, but also a single from their new album - “These Are The Good Days”. Even after their set, the atmosphere was still, very much, beaming! Even so much so in the local bar across the road from the Venue.. the DJ played ‘She’s So Lovely’ and the room erupted into cheer, two guys on the next table over were on the chairs dancing and shouting the lyrics and I just thought to myself “this is peak british culture”.

We also were fortunate enough to have a chat with Roy after the gig too. Not only are the band incredibly talented, down to earth and also hilarious (this is your hint.. to read our interview with them.. link here) but they also make time to have a chat, whether you’re a fan, crew member or Photographer. Which to us, as a ‘For The Fans, By The Fans’ motto-type Music Magazine, represents us, what we stand for and what we champion and continue to advocate on.

Long live Scouting For Girls.