Ash - The Boiler Shop, Newcastle 18.11.2025

Ash

Coach Party

This wasn’t my first time seeing Ash live but it was my first time at this venue and the first time I was going to get to see Ash play their new album, 'Ad Astra', which I reviewed for this site and was very impressed with.

It does feel like Ash are in danger of turning into Bod Dylan from a touring perspective, this was one of multiple dates this year (including supporting the Darkness)  finishing in mid-December in Belfast, they take a brief break, then are out again on tour from the start of February for pretty much the whole of that month. However, when they are this brilliant why wouldn’t you want to see them live?

As I said above this was my first time at this venue, it’s tucked down a side street and the security was out in the street. I wasn’t sure what to expect but once I got inside, I realised it’s a great space. Perfect for a gig, speaking to Gordon, the photographer there with me, he knew the venue well he did say that the big glass windows down one side means that gigs in the summer can be quite brightly lit until later in the evening but I would like to see that, I think it would look fantastic. The staff were excellent, the atmosphere great and all in all I couldn’t fault it.

The support act, Coach Party were a new band to me, not one I’d heard of before, but their blend of indie rock went down well with the crowd, most of whom had turned up to see them. The lead singer did tell us that she was struggling with a cold, but I honestly couldn’t tell. I had a quick chat with them at their merchandise stall and ascertained that they were from the Isle of Wight. The lead singer has a great voice, the band had some attitude about them which was great, and they had some strong songs. I will keep an eye on them and the idea of scented vinyl together with the cartoon t-shirts will help them stand out a bit.

The crowd were up for Ash by the time the support act finished, and they really didn’t disappoint! They are a brilliant live act and brought their a-game to this gig.

The shape throwing was in place, the banter great, it turned out Mark Hamilton has a connection to the Newcastle area and Tim’s singing was as good as I’ve heard it, the band are a tight unit as you’d expect from having been together since 1992 but there is a real vibe about them just now, a feeling like they are riding a wave and are as relevant as ever. Mark is a man of few words so when he did step up to the mike the shout from the crowd of ‘it speaks’ drew a ripple of laughter.

The set drew heavily on the new album, but the new songs fitted in seamlessly to the set, there is some real quality on the new album, and it shone through. They did also pull out all of the big hitters, I particularly enjoyed 'Shining Light' and regular live favourite, their cover of Harry Belfafontes 'Jump In The Line', which always gets the crowd going.

The encore of 'My Favourite Ghost' from the new album which was Tim on his own and the absolute bangers of 'Girl From Mars' and 'Burn Baby Burn' (my favourite Ash song) sent the whole crowd out into what was a bitter Newcastle night with joy in their hearts to keep them warm on their journey home.

If you love guitar playing at it’s best, a lead singer who is sounding as good as he ever has, a rhythm section who could get a corpse to want to move and some brilliant songs plus fantastic stage presence look no further, buy the new album, buy all of the old albums as well while you’re at it and go see them perform, they are up there with the best live bands in the UK right now.

Ash are touring again for most of the rest of this year and in February next year, if you haven’t seem them live you need to treat yourself, for a band who have been going since the 90’s the new music is fresh and excellent and the hits are all you could hope for, shake shake shake Senora!

Ash

Coach Party

Photos - G's Gig Shots

Review - Iain McClay