There are reunion shows — and then there are homecomings. What happened at Wolverhampton Arts Centre on Saturday 2nd August wasn’t a gig, It was a resurrection.
Sandkings, once darlings of the late-80s/early 90s UK indie scene, came roaring back after a jaw-dropping 34-year absence. And for the hundreds packed into the intimate venue, this wasn’t about nostalgia. It was about recognition — of a band that shaped the listening DNA of a generation and left an imprint on British alternative music that never truly faded.
The journey to the gig started miles away, in Newton Abbot — a pilgrimage of sorts. Through light traffic and sunlit motorways, spirits were high and expectations higher. Soundcheck revealed a band still tuned in — musically sharp and emotionally grounded. Photographs were snapped, bandmates met, autographs captured on cherished vinyl. The scene was set.
A trip to the pub, a curry fit for legends, and the warm-up provided by Raglan Revival DJs blasting indie hits from yesteryear — all prepped the crowd for something special.
Backstage moments before the show, a mix of nerves, excitement, and raw anticipation pulsed through the band. On the front row, waistlines may have widened, hairlines thinned, but what hadn’t dimmed was the spirit — the emotional currency of fans that still loved these musicians, ready to revisit the sound that defined them.
Then came the show.
Opening with “All’s Well With the World”, the room exploded in cheers. “Temple Redneck” still hit like it did back then — proof that some tracks are timeless. The debut album Welcome to England was honoured with seven of the twelve tracks making the cut, a love letter to the fans who’d kept the flame alive since 1990.
Frontman Vinnie Cocker stepped into Jas Mann’s formidable shoes and, against the odds, nailed it. With Mann long gone — now reportedly making Bollywood films — Cocker brought humility and determination. By track three, nerves gave way to charm, and suddenly the mic wasn’t just held; it was wielded. Cocker met the crowd with energy and reverence — orchestrating singalongs, diving into the pit, embodying the emotional power of a seasoned frontman.
Glenn, Dave, and Terry reminded everyone why the Sandkings mattered. “Let It Grow” hit deep, “Fragile” sparkled with torch-lit nostalgia, and then came the moment: “Hope Springs Eternal.” For longtime fans, it was like Oasis playing “Wonderwall” — an anthem, a unifier, a reminder of just how important this band once was.
Set two began with “I Still Believe in You,” which wrapped the venue in melodic tenderness. “Earthwheel” got everyone bobbing again, before the curtain call landed with a swirling, psych-tinged version of “Tomorrow Never Knows” that made the Arts Centre feel like a cathedral of sound.
Then came the afterglow: Guinness Zero flowed, hugs exchanged, and the band basked in the buzz. It felt like a victory not just for them, but for every fan who had followed their journey and waited patiently, hoping this day would come.
Festival slots? New material? A UK tour worthy of their legacy? Time will tell. But one thing’s certain: this reunion wasn’t a one-off. It was the rekindling of something vital. The Sandkings didn’t just return — they reminded us why we cared in the first place. Why they mattered.
As we drove home, tired and elated, images of the night danced through our minds, leaving us with a huge grin on our faces.
Long live the Sandkings.
Setlist
All’s Well With The World
Kissable
Circles
Temple Redneck
Smoke Culture
Toy
Let it Grow
Fragile
Pin Stripe Ghetto
Second Skin
Hope Springs Eternal
Need to Know
Encore
I Still Believe in You
Earthwheel
Tomorrow Never Knows
