Prima Queen + Everything Everything 11/12/24
I’ve noticed a worrying trend lately: fewer people showing up to support bands. It’s such a shame, especially since these are the up-and-coming acts that are likely to sell out venues like NX in the near future. For me, some of my favourite new discoveries have come from catching a support band live—whether it’s Willie J Healey warming up for IDLES, TTSSFU opening for English Teacher, or even seeing Sam Fender play before Everything Everything back in 2017/18. We all know where his career went after that. This Wednesday, I had the opportunity to see Everything Everything conquer the stage at NX Newcastle, and opening for them was one of my current favourite acts, Prima Queen.
Prima Queen consists of Louise MacPhail (guitar, vocals), Kristin McFadden (guitar, vocals), and Heledd Owen. While the band hails from Bristol, Kristin’s journey to the group is a bit more serendipitous—originally from Chicago, she joined after a spontaneous decision to enroll in a university course in London (and I’m very glad she did).
The band’s sound is a captivating mix of youthful energy and a darker, melancholic edge. Imagine the breezy, infectious vibe of Alvvays combined with the raw, gritty intensity of bands like Sorry, or the haunting, evocative lyrics of Julia Jacklin. This unique blend creates a band full of both intrigue and power, with meticulously crafted recordings and an electrifying live presence. Despite being just three members, their sound is impossibly full, filling the room and drawing the crowd into their immersive world.What stood out most during their live set was the seamless fluidity between Louise and Kristin—constantly switching lead vocals and harmonies, as well as trading roles between lead guitar and rhythm. This dynamic, paired with Heledd’s exceptional drumming, created a performance that kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
Opening with Fool—the first single from their upcoming album The Prize—was a perfect choice. It’s my favorite track of theirs, and live, it absolutely soars. According to a DIY Magazine interview, this song was the hardest for the band to write. As they explained, it explores the experience of “loving someone who is anxious-avoidant and grappling with the realization that they’re unable to give you the love you need.” The song took years to complete, with the band constantly revising the lyrics until they finally came to the conclusion of what they wanted to say. The result is a deeply relatable track, and the effort put into its creation is evident in how powerful it feels. Musically, it channels the vocal energy of a band like Lime Garden, while the instrumental vibe takes me back to the indie scene of 2018, reminiscent of acts like The Night Café and BLOXX. All these elements come together to form a song that’s catchy, heartfelt, and the perfect opener for their set.
During Fool, the setup was Kristin on lead vocals, with Louise providing backing harmonies and playing lead guitar. I figured this would be the set up for the rest of the show—until Prima Queen completely flipped the script with their next track, Chew My Cheeks. Here, the roles were totally reversed, and I loved it.
Kristin’s voice brings a deeper, rockier edge to the table, perfect for those classic indie anthems and soaring choruses. Meanwhile, on Chew My Cheeks, Louise’s vocals are more delicate with a bit of a sassy twist. The contrast between their voices makes watching their show incredibly immersive, and the way they harmonize—blending their distinct tones—creates a sound that’s uniquely Prima Queen. It’s also cool how the non-vocalist takes on lead guitar duties. Both Kristin and Louise are exceptional guitarists, and this setup gives them both the chance to shine in their own way. It’s a dynamic that adds depth to their performance, and I’m here for it.
Next up was Oats, and they kicked things off by asking the crowd if we liked porridge. I think I misheard as I think they were actually talking about the band Porridge, but I shouted out anyway because, well, I like porridge. I chose this path.
The real highlight for me was the cowbell—always a win in my book. Oats is a track from their upcoming album The Prize, and I can’t wait to hear it again when the album drops in April. Following that was another standout, Dylan. Unfortunately, Dylan wasn’t at the gig, but he definitely missed out on one of the night’s highlights. This track’s mesmerizing harmonies, intricate guitar lines, and vocals (which reminded me of one of my other favorites, Lily Lyons) made for a song that was an absolute joy to witness live. Special shoutout to Heledd—the build-up and the final chorus drumming was electric, and when the two vocal melodies came together at the end, it was pure magic. One particular part that’s stuck with me is Kristin singing, ‘You’re not alone, oh, you’re not alone’ over the final chorus. It’s been playing on repeat in my head ever since—so catchy. You have to see this live—it’s an unforgettable experience.
They wrapped up their set with the title track from their upcoming album, The Prize. And here came the final surprise from Prima Queen: the three of them sang together, creating a beautiful choral effect that was the perfect way to close the show. It was an electrifying tease of what’s to come on the new album, and I’m definitely excited to hear more of this sound when it drops in April. I’m also really hoping to catch Prima Queen live in Newcastle soon—I highly recommend you do the same if you get the chance. They’re a band you don’t want to miss.
We can’t wrap up this review without mentioning Everything Everything’s electrifying set—packed with indie bangers and sing-along anthems. It’s always a joy to catch them live, especially since they’re actually alumni from my high school in Hexham, Queen Elizabeth! Their sound blends the energy of classic indie bands like Sundara Karma, Alt-J, and Blossoms with the sharp, topical lyrics of bands like Yard Act and English Teacher.
One of my all-time favorites is Cough Cough from their second album, mainly for the incredible drumming from Michael Spearman. My high school drum teacher was obsessed with this song, and though I couldn’t quite nail it back then, it was my first introduction to the band—and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Their new album Mountainhead is full of potential classics, and my personal favorite track so far is The End of the Contender. It’s super catchy, with a great beat, and the lyrics are perfect for chanting along—“Blame it on the empire!” is just so infectious.
Ending their set with No Reptiles was the perfect choice. It’s one of my favorite moments to experience live, and the reason I keep coming back. The intensity of that final outro is something else, and the lyrics are absolutely exceptional. If you ever get the chance to see it live, don’t miss it.
All in all, what a night—amazing support acts and, of course, one of the best indie bands out there right now. To everyone reading, make sure you catch the support bands—you might just find your next favourite band!
Song Recommendations:
Prima Queen: Dylan, Fool, Chew My Cheeks
Everything Everything: The End of the Contender, No Reptiles, Cough Cough