Live Review: The Subways – 21st November 2025 – Electric Ballroom, Camden, London
3 min read
Friday night saw the return of Hertfordshire’s The Subways to Camden’s Electric Ballroom for a celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary since their initial success. Although they formed in 2002, the group saw major success with their debut album in 2005 Young For Eternity, featuring songs like Rock & Roll Queen and Oh Yeah. Talk of the debut was firmly in the air as the crowd settled in to wait for the band’s arrival.
Although we missed initial support act Pisces, we were not disappointed by followup band Congratulations. Described by a passer by as ‘screamo Blondie’, they came out with manic energy, quickly proving that assessment with 80’s-tinged punk roots. Synchronised dancing and vocoded vocals separated the heavy bass and sharp guitar riffs well. The drummer and guitarist did most of the talk, trying to get the crowd involved as much as possible to varying success. They held their cool personas, whilst also gushing occasionally about playing the venue and support The Subways.
A remixed mashup of Pure Imagination and the Chariots of Fire soundtrack brought The Subways to the stage. Their pure unbridled energy appeared the same as it always has, bassist Charlotte Cooper skipping across the stage multiple times before the first song was even over. “We’re celebrating twenty years of us,” singer Billy Lunn said between numbers, launching into a medley of hits. New song Passenger’s Side went down well with the audience, while the inclusion of At 1am was a welcome addition. Newest member, drummer Camille Phillips, had a moment of gratitude for the band, talking about how she grew up with the debut album and that being able to play and celebrate with the group was an honour. She asked everyone to jump along, and they followed.
A few songs were lead into with stories, such as Lunn recounting his time working in a hotel and writing songs in his head, as well as the song Mary being dedicated to his mother. “I find the chorus hard to sing,” he said. “My vocal cords weren’t as mature when I wrote it.” The crowd were happy to help him out, giving his ample time to jump about. After agreeing with the audience that encores aren’t necessary, they vowed to keep going without breaks. Lunn got a moment to crowd surf towards the end, and a moment to reflect on playing Electric Ballroom, the culmination of which rounded off the night nicely. An excellent celebration of an excellent band.
Set List:
Oh Yeah
Black Wax
We Don’t Need Money To Have A Good Time
Passengers Side
My Heart Is Pumping To A Brand New Beat
Holiday
Kalifornia
Mary
Popdeath
At 1am
Turnaround
I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Girls And Boys
I Need To Feel You Closer
With You
Rock & Roll Queen
Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.
