Gig date October 24, 2026.
Venue: Cluny 2, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
There is something special about live music bringing people together, turning strangers into familiar faces and, sometimes, friends through a shared love of a band.
Newcastle was Arctic on Saturday night. The wind was brutal, the temperatures were freezing, and the weather was doing everything it could to put people off making the journey. But The IC1s’ faithful fans were not going to be deterred. People had travelled from miles away to be there, a dedication that says plenty about the connection this band has built with its audience.
Meeting fans before the gig, there was a real buzz in the air. Different people, different journeys, but everyone had come for the same reason: a love of the music and the chance to see The IC1s do what they do best. It was a reminder that, in a grassroots music scene, a shared love of a band can bring people together before the first chord has even been played.
Five musicians, one hell of a sound
From the moment The IC1s stepped onto the intimate basement stage at Cluny 2, the energy was unmistakable. Daniel Coburn led from the front on vocals, while Jesse James and John Campbell delivered the twin-guitar attack at the heart of the band’s sound. Jacob Osman held things together on bass, with Andy Faulkner driving the music forward behind the drums.
The five musicians worked together with confidence and intensity. The guitars cut through, the rhythm section kept everything moving, and the vocals brought the songs to life. There was no need for unnecessary frills: just five musicians, cracking tunes and a room ready to get involved. This was indie rock with its sleeves rolled up — raw, energetic and made to be heard live.
A set packed with favourites and new material
The opening stretch set the tone, with “Growing Up Going Down” already sounding like a bona fide classic. Hearing the crowd sing along was one of those moments that reminds you why live music matters. These are not simply songs people recognise; they have become part of the experience for fans who keep turning up.
The set offered a lively mix of established favorites and newer material. “Armada” brought another dose of the band’s distinctive energy, while “Don’t Change”, “That Was Then” and “Beautiful Ugly” kept the momentum going. The older songs showed why fans have stayed with the band, while the newer material suggested that The IC1s are still moving forward rather than simply looking back.
A special moment: the first live performance of “Red Flag”
One of the night’s major talking points was the first live outing of “Red Flag”. There is something special about being in the room when a band plays a song live for the first time. For those in attendance, it meant being part of a new moment in The IC1s’ story, rather than simply revisiting familiar favourites.
With new releases on the horizon and an album to look forward to, “Red Flag” gave fans another reason to be excited about what comes next. The set also included “Soul on Trial”, “Not Perfect” and “Levitate”, the band’s debut single and a personal highlight for this reviewer. “Levitate” connected the group’s earlier material with the music they are making today.
“Outta Reach” fitted naturally alongside the established favourites, while “Wack Jack” brought another burst of energy to the set. Taken together, the songs showed continuity in the band’s sound while leaving plenty of room for the next chapter.
More than a gig: a community of fans
Cluny 2’s intimate basement setting worked in the band’s favour. The guitars felt immediate, the rhythms hit hard, and the crowd stayed with the band throughout. By the later stages of the set, the room was fully involved, singing back the hooks and giving the musicians the response every live act hopes for.
A special mention goes to the two women running the merchandise stall, who were fans themselves as well as helping others find T-shirts and other merchandise. Their friendliness added to the welcoming feel of the evening and reflected the community that can grow around a band.
Grassroots music depends on people turning up, buying tickets, supporting the music and keeping these nights alive. Every ticket bought, every bit of merchandise picked up and every song sung back helps sustain the scene. Saturday night was a reminder that this connection works both ways: the fans make the journey, and the band gives them a reason to keep coming back.
The verdict
The IC1s delivered a high-energy performance at Newcastle’s Cluny 2, combining driving guitars, a powerful rhythm section and vocals full of attitude. “Growing Up Going Down” had the crowd singing, “Levitate” was a personal highlight, and the first live performance of “Red Flag” gave the night an extra sense of occasion.
The blend of established favourites and new material suggested a band with a strong catalogue behind them and plenty still to come. Just as importantly, the connection between the musicians and their audience made the evening feel like more than another gig. The fans who travelled through the freezing weather, the people met before the show and the welcoming merchandise team all helped create a memorable night.
Newcastle may have been Arctic, but The IC1s brought the fire. With new releases, an album on the horizon and an Islington show to look forward to, there is plenty for fans to anticipate. If this performance is anything to go by, the band’s next chapter should be worth watching.
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Stream Music from IC1s here
Review by Leon Roberts
Photography Leon Roberts
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