Tonight marked the official launch of Good Neighbours’ "Adolescence" tour—an audacious move for a band that is choosing intimacy over mass appeal. With the small, atmospheric Cavern in Exeter (220 capacity) as their starting point, Oli Fox and Scott Verrill, the London duo behind Good Neighbours, set out to remind us why live music still matters. The venue, nestled amidst a cluster of eateries and bars (where a beer plus vodka and coke comes in at an astonishingly reasonable £9.90), has hosted legends from Coldplay and Muse to Bastille and The 1975, yet tonight it was all about the sparkle of emerging talent.
Before the main act, the night’s opening salvo came courtesy of support artist Beattie. Hailing from Bedford on the edge of London, this rising female alt-rock/indie dynamo proved that her live credentials are every bit as compelling as her burgeoning reputation. Beattie began her set with the melancholic strains of “The Poet” and followed it up with the emotive “Love Lorn.” Although her rendition of “I know I Am” was momentarily marred by a backing track machine glitch, she handled the technical misstep with grace and humour—reminding us all that live music’s beauty lies in its imperfections. Undeterred, she pressed on with powerhouse tracks like “Lucky,” “Life with Her,” “Humans,” and wrapped up her set with the raw debut single “London,” winning over even more fans with her sincere vulnerability and undeniable stage presence.
Then came Good Neighbours, who really don’t need an introduction.
The story goes that in a Somerset cabin, Oli and Scott penned a chorus that has since become synonymous with a longing for home and authenticity:
“It's a light relief from a bad habit, It's my mother's cooking when I can't have it, It's the last train home from a day trippin', It's the place I'll go when I start slippin'"
This surprisingly personal verse—dropped first on a now-viral platform called TikTok—has amassed nearly 395 million streams on Spotify, making “Home” not just an anthem, but also a testament to their knack for blending melody with sentiment. Opening their set with the energetic “Kids Can’t Sleep,” the duo instantly lifted the mood. “Bloom” and “Skipping Stones” followed in a flurry of beautifully harmonised, sweat-dropped energy that had Oli dancing around the stage as if every lyric pulsated directly from his heart to the crowd.
As the evening progressed, they teased us with exciting news: a forthcoming album that they’ve been perfecting in relative seclusion. Tracks like “Walk” and “People”—each carrying those summery, infectious vibes they’re so known for—hinted at an evolution in sound that’s as daring as it is catchy.
The setlist, a rollercoaster of upbeat anthems, continued with rousing numbers such as “Weekend Boy,” the underrated “Starry Eyed” (which, judging by its modest Spotify streaming figures, you’d expect to be an instant hit), “Keep It Up,” “Ripple,” “Wonderful Life,” and a soulful reprise of “Home” that left the crowd utterly spellbound. “Daisies” closed out the gig on a high note, a perfect farewell as the 220-strong audience cheered on this sell-out night with enthusiasm.
Though time constraints (and work commitments) meant I couldn’t chat post-show with Oli and Scott, the lad’s friendliness was obvious—they were all smiles for photos and were happy to chat to fans. Their approachable nature, coupled with a clear passion for every note played and lyric belted, leaves no doubt that this intimate tour marks the final chapter of their small venue days. After a memorable stint on the main stage at Boardmasters Festival in 2024, the future is beckoning; larger arenas and bigger festivals likely await this dynamic duo.
Good Neighbours delivered a performance that was equal parts raw energy and emotional insight—reminding us that no matter how viral a track might be on social media, nothing beats the unfiltered intensity of live music. Meanwhile, Beattie’s resilient support and engaging set added a further dash of unpredictability to the night. With signs pointed clearly toward bigger things, both acts are ones to keep your eyes on as they continue to evolve and redefine their sonic landscapes.
Words and Pictures by Mark Jenner
