DIVORCE
Concert review
Divorce in Barcelona. An Unforgettable Debut
British band Divorce. Photo: Alex Evans.
On April 29th, with Teens Media Network, we had the pleasure of witnessing the exciting debut of the British band Divorce at Sala Vol (Barcelona). Although their concert in Madrid was canceled due to the massive blackout that affected several parts of Europe, they still delivered an unforgettable performance.
Elle León, who broke the ice, arrived from Ireland with a delicate and captivating proposal. She presented The Musical, a work that breathes melancholy and warmth, as if the most intimate folk merged with elegant pop from another era. In her sound, there are hints of Faye Webster and Alice Phoebe Lou, but with a very personal sensitivity that invites you to listen without rushing.
Divorce’s debut album, Drive to Goldenhammer, is a masterpiece that takes us on a musical journey with various soundscapes, some of which may feel familiar at certain points in our lives. The band delivers a unique sound that blends rhythms and styles to create an exciting and captivating musical experience.
Starting with “Fever Pitch,” a vocal performance without accompaniment that grew in intensity, driven by the magnetic presence of Tiger Cohen-Towell, the bassist and one of the band’s vocalists. The band quickly raised the energy of the show with “All My Freaks,” filled with hypnotic guitars and a retro atmosphere.
The British band Divorce at Sala Vol in Barcelona. Video recorded by Claudia Lindo (TMN).
Felix Mackenzie-Barrow took the spotlight with “Gears,” a sound that resembled a mutant country with blurred edges. The band ventured into a sonic landscape that blurred genre boundaries, with a dusty, melancholic vibe that evoked both the introspection of certain contemporary alternative projects and the more psychedelic expansions of American folk. Divorce doesn’t fit into a single box easily: they glide between raw guitars, unconventional pop sensibility, and a British spirit that imbues everything with elegant irony and constant emotional tension.
“I really liked it — it’s a promising band with a clear sense of identity. I also found it very impressive that they’re multi-instrumentalists; it adds a lot to their overall proposal and showcases their talent. If they keep going down this path, they’re definitely going to make waves.”
FEELING INSPIRED?
Become a TMN member and join the community powering the next generation of creators.
Get exclusive content, support young and independent journalism, learn alongside emerging talent, and be part of a movement that believes in the power of ideas.
TMN exists thanks to people like you!
As their concert progressed, Divorce began to unveil the strongest tracks from their debut album, mixing them with material from earlier stages, such as EPs and singles. With “Jet Show,” they showcased their sharper side within country, while the song “Karen” started with a more intimate, acoustic tone before exploding into a dramatic ballad.
Halfway through the show, there were a few more scattered moments, with songs that, while sounding fine, didn’t connect with the same intensity as the rest, such as “Scratch Your Metal” or “Pill.” But they nailed it with “Antarctica,” which revealed something surprising. There was space for warm, organic passages, like a track that evoked wide open landscapes and became one of the most memorable of the night. There was also room for well-measured introspection, with Felix at the forefront on a track that closed with a clean, subtle solo. Another song slipped into a dark groove, between elegant rock and a hint of retro thriller pulse. As the show wrapped up, the encore brought two gems: “Lord,” with overflowing energy that solidified its place as the crowd’s favorite of the year, and another that worked as a perfect closing, “Hangman,” leaving the audience floating between tension and catharsis.
Divorce is in a promising stage, sounding solid, with vocals that carry a unique strength and talent evident in each member. Still, there’s a sense that they’re in the midst of a search, exploring paths before finding their own sonic identity. What they have so far is more than impressive, but everything points to the fact that the best is yet to come. It’s worth keeping an eye on their next moves.
Claudia Lindo and Amaia Garcia (TMN) at Sala Vol during the coverage of Divorce's concert. Barcelona.
Share this post:
“Going to see Divorce was a positive experience. Despite not being a particularly well-known band, they manage to deliver a solid live performance with standout moments. It’s clear they have talent and an interesting artistic approach, although I personally felt there are still some aspects that could be refined to achieve greater cohesion in their sound. They might not fully align with my personal taste, as their style isn’t exactly what I usually enjoy, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they have something unique—and with time, they can continue to grow and surprise us.”
