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Livesphere is an online music magazine led by a female collective united by the love of music, dedicated to bringing you the latest music news, reviews, live photos and insights, predominantly in London and the UK as well as throughout Europe. Whether you're a fan of rock, metal, alternative, pop, or indie, we’ve got you covered with in-depth features on artists, album releases, concert reviews, and interviews.
And don’t forget to check out the Live Events section to stay updated on what’s to come!
LIVE reviews
KAISER CHIEFS | EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON | 20 FEBRUARY
NEW!
After a summer that reminded everyone exactly why they remain one of Britain’s most electrifying live bands, Kaiser Chiefs are back on the road. The summer included a headline stealing set on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, a triumphant night at Alexandra Palace Park, and a huge hometown celebration at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park. The band have carried their 20 Years of Employment anniversary into 2026 and with demand showing no signs of slowing, this latest run of dates feels less like a victory lap and more like a statement that they’ve still got what it takes.
That momentum rolled straight into a sold-out night at the Eventim Apollo, where, long before doors opened, fans were already snaking around the block, swapping stories of past gigs and debating which songs outside of Employment would make the setlist. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, unsurprising when a band with this kind of loyal fanbase returns in celebratory mode. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with restless energy as those who had made it inside early waited for the music to begin.
When Kaiser Chiefs first announced this tour, fans knew to expect something big. "This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album Employment. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago. It was the year after that first year that things really took off..," frontman Ricky Wilson said of the announcement. "So we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us the year it really took off.” This is a good point that reminds us that even with a stellar album, things might not actually go from release to hit song instantly.
GRANDSON | O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON | 2 MARCH
NEW!
On the 2nd of March 2026, the O2 Forum Kentish Town ceased to be a mere music venue and transformed into a sweaty, sanctuary-like bastion for every soul exhausted of being optimistic and in a state of inertia.
The demographic was a beautiful sea of diverse faces spanning every age, background, and identity, yet all vibrating with the exact same progressive heartbeat. We were an audience no longer content with being passive observers of our own decline. We were there to find a much-needed shift in a society that feels increasingly rigged, sharing a bone-deep ethos with the artists on the bill. Both Pinkshift and grandson held a jagged, uncompromising mirror up to a broken system and, for one explosive night, gave over 2000 people permission to feel their own rage and energy. In a world that relentlessly attempts to strip us of our individuality - or punishes us the moment we dare to show it - this was a night where being yourself was the ultimate act of rebellion.
Taking the stage to warm up the crowd, Baltimore’s Pinkshift proved immediately why they are a band you need to be paying attention to. Formed in 2019 after members met at Johns Hopkins University, the trio has spent the last few years becoming a formidable force in the alternative scene. With a history of opening for icons like Pussy Riot, The Gaslight Anthem, and the Linda Lindas, their mission has always been clear: using rock as a vehicle for racial diversity, gender inclusivity, and fierce advocacy. Now touring off the back of their 2025 sophomore album, EARTHKEEPER, they brought an unapologetic energy to London that was significantly heavier than their records suggest.
ALBUM reviews
SOFTCULT - WHEN A FLOWER DOESN’T GROW | 28 JANUARY
NEW!
For Softcult, twin sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, moving from a few short EPs to a full-length album feels like finally getting to tell the whole story. While their early singles were quick snapshots of emotions, a debut album is the first time the siblings have the space to really open up.
On their debut full-length When A Flower Doesn't Grow, the siblings deliver Softcult’s most unflinching work to date. Born from a period of personal upheaval, the album explores the path from trauma to liberation, anchored by a central philosophy: “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” The album’s title is a nod to the environmental and social factors that stunt personal growth. Throughout the tracklist, the sisters tackle heavy themes with a blend of empathy and righteous anger: predatory behaviour, gaslighting and empowerment.
After years of testing out their sound and finding their voice, this record is where everything finally clicks. Produced by the band themselves, the production on this record is a massive step forward. It retains the shimmering textures of Cocteau Twins and the crushing, reverb-soaked weight of My Bloody Valentine, but there is a new "cleanliness" to the melodies that allows Mercedes’ vocals to pierce through the atmosphere and make the Softcult sound truly their own.
The album’s title is a nod to the environmental and social factors that stunt personal growth. Throughout the tracklist, the sisters tackle heavy themes with a blend of empathy and righteous anger: predatory behaviour, gaslighting and empowerment.
After a brief, soft intro track, the album opens up with the single ‘Pill To Swallow’ setting the stage with a masterclass in the "spiritual grunge" sound that the Arn-Horn siblings have pioneered: an immersive blend of shoegaze textures and 90s alt-rock grit.
CHARLOTTE SANDS - SATELLITE | 6 MARCH
NEW!
With her distinct blue hair and a Y2K meets modern alt edge, Charlotte Sands has become a fearless force in alt-pop. On her sophomore album, SATELLITE, she sharpens her genre-blurring sound into soaring, diaristic anthems built for cathartic, sold-out show singalongs that feel intensely personal yet universal.
When the album was announced, Charlotte let us know how personal an album it was. “‘Satellite’ was born from a search for meaning, identity, and self worth,” she said. “It’s a collection of moments from the last two years of my life - the highs and lows, the joy and the grief. It’s about drifting, discovering, questioning your purpose, and learning to trust the quiet pull that brings you back to yourself.”
And so begins the bold, high-energy world of SATELLITE.
The album opens with the title track ‘Satellite’, two minutes and 36 seconds of pure perfection. With those signature vocals on display with a somewhat eerie backdrop, it carefully builds the anticipation for what to expect from this collection of songs wrapped up as an album. As ‘satellite’ closes, it leads into ‘one eye open’ and listeners are immediately confronted with the distinct possibility that the listening experience will get better with each track.
When ‘one eye open’ was released as a single late last year, listeners were promised a track that showcases Charlotte's mix of emotional intensity and arena-ready hooks. It did not disappoint.
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THIS WEEK’S FAVOURITE TRACK
We can’t get enough of Honey Revenge’s catchy new single ‘Hot Commodity’.
aboutus
We are an inclusive, independent, non-profit publication led by a female collective launched out of sheer passion for live music and all things music related.
Executive Editor and Photographer: Florelle Servageon
Contact: florelle@livesphere-magazine.com
Editor and Photographer: Eva Grant
Contact: eva@livesphere-magazine.com
Lead Writer & Photographer: Imogen Bird
Contact: imogen@livesphere-magazine.com
Writer (Platform ‘96): Vlad-Paul Ghilaș
Contact: platform96events@gmail.com
Contributors: Nadine Goetz (Writer and Photographer), Justyna Serafin (Photographer), Bia Vismara (Writer), Isabella Jacklin (Writer), Maria Dominici (Writer), Cat Wiltshire (Writer), Auré (Writer), Liv Kendall (Writer), Verity Eaden (Writer), Julie Moisson (Writer), Julia Jevzikova (Photographer), Charlie Wright (Photographer)
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