The Twilight Sad

The Twilight Sad Live at Electric Bristol

Prepare for an unforgettable night of raw emotion and soaring soundscapes as The Twilight Sad descend upon Bristol for a much-anticipated performance at the legendary Electric. On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, this celebrated Scottish quartet will transform the intimate confines of Electric Bristol into a cathedral of melancholic anthems and cathartic crescendos. If you’re seeking an evening that stirs the soul and leaves an indelible mark, look no further. This is more than just a gig; it’s an immersion into the powerful, visceral world of one of Britain’s most compelling live acts.

About The Twilight Sad

Emerging from the vibrant Scottish music scene in 2003, The Twilight Sad have carved a unique and respected niche for themselves with their intensely atmospheric and emotionally charged brand of indie rock. Fronted by the distinctive, often haunting vocals of James Graham, the band has consistently delivered a body of work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Their sound is characterised by a potent blend of brooding guitars, driving rhythms, and Graham’s powerful, emotive delivery, which can shift from a whisper of vulnerability to a ferocious roar within the span of a single track.

Over the course of their career, The Twilight Sad have released a string of critically acclaimed albums, each building upon their signature sound while exploring new sonic territories. Their debut, Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters (2007), immediately marked them as a band to watch, showcasing a raw energy and lyrical introspection. This was followed by Forget, The Farewell Ballads (2009), which further solidified their reputation for crafting expansive, emotionally complex songs. Their breakthrough into wider recognition came with No One Can Ever Know (2012), an album that saw them collaborate with producer Geoff Barrow of Portishead, leading to a darker, more experimental edge. Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Die (2014) continued this trajectory, brimming with anthemic choruses and a palpable sense of urgency. More recently, It Won/Won’t End (2019) and Sad City, Dying City (2022) have demonstrated their continued artistic growth, with the latter particularly praised for its nuanced exploration of urban alienation and human connection.

Notable hits that showcase their distinctive sound include the brooding intensity of “I Built a Bridge,” the anthemic swell of “The Room and the Tower,” the raw vulnerability of “Last Year’s Girl,” and the powerful, driving force of “Kill It, Kid.” These tracks, alongside many others from their extensive catalogue, are testament to The Twilight Sad’s ability to craft songs that are both deeply personal confessions and universal cries of the heart. Their live performances are legendary for their raw energy and emotional intensity, making them a must-see act for any discerning music lover.

Venue Information

Electric Bristol is a cornerstone of the city’s live music scene, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and exceptional acoustics, making it the perfect setting for an artist like The Twilight Sad. This venue has a rich history of hosting groundbreaking and influential musicians, consistently providing an unforgettable experience for both artists and audiences. The carefully curated space ensures that every note resonates with clarity and power, allowing the full emotional weight of the performance to be felt. Whether you’re standing close to the stage or enjoying the view from further back, Electric Bristol offers an immersive environment that enhances the live music experience. For complete venue details, see our venue guide.

What to Expect

Prepare for an evening that is as emotionally resonant as it is sonically powerful. The Twilight Sad are renowned for their electrifying live performances, and their upcoming show at Electric Bristol is sure to be no exception. Their setlists are a carefully curated journey through their impressive discography, expertly weaving together fan favourites with deeper cuts that showcase the evolution of their sound. Expect to hear the cathartic anthems that have become their hallmark, such as the soaring “The Room and the Tower,” which builds to an almost overwhelming climax, or the darkly compelling “Kill It, Kid,” which pulsates with raw energy.

You’ll also likely be treated to the raw, confessional lyricism of tracks like “Last Year’s Girl,” where James Graham’s vocal delivery truly shines, conveying a profound sense of vulnerability and resilience. Their more recent material often explores themes of urban isolation and the search for connection, delivered with a newfound maturity and sonic depth, promising to add new layers to their live presentation.

The performance style of The Twilight Sad is one of unadulterated passion and raw energy. James Graham is a magnetic frontman, commanding the stage with an intensity that draws the audience into the heart of each song. His vocal performance is a force of nature, capable of conveying the deepest despair and the most exhilarating hope. The band members, a tight-knit unit, provide a powerful sonic foundation, with interlocking guitar melodies, driving basslines, and propulsive drumming that create a wall of sound that is both beautiful and brutal. They possess a rare ability to create moments of hushed intensity that can hold an entire room captive, followed by explosive bursts of sound that leave you breathless.

While the exact duration of the set can vary, you can anticipate a full, immersive experience lasting approximately 90 minutes to two hours, excluding any support acts. This is ample time for The Twilight Sad to take you on their signature sonic and emotional journey, leaving you with a profound sense of catharsis and a lingering echo of their powerful performance.

FAQs

Q1: What is The Twilight Sad’s typical live show like? A1: The Twilight Sad are renowned for their intense and emotionally charged live performances. Expect a powerful sonic experience driven by raw vocals, atmospheric guitars, and a palpable energy. Their shows are known for their cathartic nature, often moving from moments of quiet introspection to explosive, anthemic crescendos.

Q2: Will The Twilight Sad play older songs or focus on newer material? A2: The Twilight Sad typically craft their setlists to be a comprehensive journey through their career. You can expect a healthy mix of fan favourites from their earlier albums, such as Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters and Forget, The Farewell Ballads, alongside powerful tracks from their more recent acclaimed releases like It Won/Won’t End and Sad City, Dying City. They excel at weaving these together to create a cohesive and impactful performance.

Q3: Is James Graham’s vocal delivery as intense live as it is on record? A3: Absolutely. James Graham’s vocal delivery is one of the defining features of The Twilight Sad’s live shows. His voice is incredibly powerful and emotive, conveying a vast range of feeling that is even more potent and raw when experienced live. He is known for his captivating stage presence and his ability to connect deeply with the audience through his performance.

Q4: How loud is a typical The Twilight Sad concert? A4: The Twilight Sad’s music is often characterized by its powerful, dynamic sound. While they are capable of creating moments of delicate quiet, their performances are generally quite loud, particularly during their more anthemic and intense passages. The sound engineering at Electric Bristol is excellent and designed to handle such sonic power, but ear protection is always advisable for those sensitive to high volumes.

Q5: Are The Twilight Sad known for any particular stage banter or audience interaction? A5: While The Twilight Sad are not typically known for extensive stage banter, James Graham often engages with the audience through the emotion and intensity of his performance rather than lengthy speeches. Their connection with the crowd is forged through the shared experience of the music. When they do speak, it’s usually brief, sincere, and heartfelt, often acknowledging the venue or the audience’s reception.

Q6: What kind of atmosphere can I expect from a The Twilight Sad gig at Electric Bristol? A6: You can expect a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant atmosphere. The intimate setting of Electric Bristol, combined with The Twilight Sad’s powerful music, creates an environment where the audience is drawn into the heart of the performance. It’s a space for shared catharsis, collective energy, and a profound connection with the music.