It’s a strange sensation when a band’s debut album feels like a reunion. Divorce may have only just released Drive To Golden Hammer, but their presence has long lingered in the playlists and hearts of fans who packed out Bristol’s Strange Brew for a sold-out celebration. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear: this wasn’t just a normal gig.
But before the main event, Dublin’s DUG warmed up the room with a set that felt like a hug from an old friend. Their brand of Americana-folk was laced with camaraderie and charm, the kind that makes you want to join the band or at least follow them to the pub after. Their disco ball-assisted line dance was a stroke of genius—equal parts kitsch and community. For a band only a year into their journey, they’ve already mastered the art of winning hearts. And if your name happens to be Dug, you’re apparently guaranteed free entry to their shows for life. Bristol loves a good in-joke.
As Divorce emerged, Tiger Cohen-Towell looked visibly moved by the sea of smiling faces. The band wasted no time diving into the new material, opening with Fever Pitch and gliding into All My Freaks—a showcase of Tiger and Felix’s seamless vocal interplay. Their harmonies were soulful, their choruses infectious, and the crowd was right there with them, singing every word like gospel.
Old favourite Gears arrived like a warm breeze—fuzzy, tight, and utterly euphoric. But it was Pill that truly stopped time. Tiger’s performance during the breakdown was magnetic, drawing the room into a hush as fans at the front swayed in quiet awe. Felix, ever the gracious host, beamed at familiar faces in his former hometown, grounding the set in a sense of place and belonging.
The band played nearly the entire album, and rightly so. Drive To Golden Hammer is a confident, cohesive body of work, and live, it’s even more compelling. Hangman closed the main set with a twinkle and a punch, the disco ball swirling above a crowd lost in indie reverie.
The encore was brief but beautiful. Mercy, the album’s closer, shimmered through the venue like a lullaby. “I’ll always love you like that,” sang in perfect unison, felt less like a lyric and more like a promise—to the fans, to the moment, to the future of Divorce.
This wasn’t just a debut album launch—it was a declaration. Divorce are here, and they’re already beloved. Their live show is a masterclass in connection, conviction, and craft. If this was your first time seeing them, it won’t be your last.
Words by Matt Barnes
Pics by David Broome
