Review: Ride at Boiler Shop Newcastle

Review by Samantha Pearson

Boiler Shop welcomed one of the key pioneers of ‘shoegaze’, Ride on Saturday, understandably one of the earliest emerging alternative rock bands of the early nineties. Since releasing their new album ‘Interplay’ in March 2024, after the release of the lead single ‘Peace Sign’ in January 2024, it was wonderful to see the band grace the stage yet again and do what they do best.  

The band formed in 1988 in Oxford, consisting of vocalists and guitarists Andy Bell and Mark Gardener, drummer Loz Colbert and bassist Steve Queralt and since then have released some of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time back in the nineties. However, in 1996 they disbanded and in 1999, Bell made the controversial move to join Oasis. However, in 2014, Ride got back together and proceeded to tour and release a further 3 albums.  

On arrival at the venue, it was great to see an impressive, if not male dominated stylish crowd awaiting the headliners. Junodream had already supported before we made an appearance and played a short set debuting mostly songs from their debut album ‘Pools of Colour’ released this year.  

Ride kicked off their set with ‘Monaco’ and ‘Last Night I Went Somewhere to Dream’ taken from their newest album ‘Interplay’. The iconic vocals, hypnotic grooves and dreamy melodic hooks continued throughout the night and it was such an easy melancholic listen as the set flowed from start to finish. It was also great to hear classics from the first released albums ‘Nowhere’ and ‘Going Blank Again’.  

The setting felt somewhat intimate although being able to host 1,000 guests and even at the furthest point away from the stage, the synth flourishes, electronic beats and guitar attacks still echoed the room to full effect. This complimented the lighting well, swapping from wistful muted hues to full blown strobe attacks flattering each track perfectly.  

The band finished with an encore of three numbers, ‘Light in a Quiet Room’ the newest of the three and also ‘Leave Them All Behind’ from the second album, being my favourite of the night as it served a Madchester feel, with a similarity of early Stone Roses/Charlatans vibes. Finished with last but not least ‘Chelsea Girl’, featuring on the band’s first EPs in 1990.  

Boiler Shop I believe was the perfect venue to host this gig, creating a harmonious and welcoming atmosphere and credit to the band for putting on a remarkable come-back show, that the whole crowd deeply indulged in. A tremendous evening all roun