The Temperance Movement - Boiler Shop, Newcastle 07.04.2025

After a five year hiatus a lot of bands on their return would hit the stage with whoops and hollers and flash bang “WE ARE BACK" statements.

However The Temperence Movement aren’t like a lot of bands and tonight at the packed Boiler Shop they calmly took to the stage where all five of them circled the centre microphone and delivered an astonishing acapella version of 'Chinese Lanterns' to get the evening underway Phil Campbells voice is as strong as it ever was complemented by the luxurious harmonies from his band mates and accompanied by 1000 Geordie voices heralding their return.

You can see from the get go the band are happy to be back on stage and treat the crowd to a set culled from their three studio albums and delivering a big song like 'Only Friend' third song in shows the confidence they have in their catalogue to keep the fans attention.

As always Phil is the focal point with his onstage swagger and dance moves that only he can pull off! That being said though the twin guitar work of Paul Sayer and Luke Potashnick was at times breathtaking to say the least, each one of them delivering master classes in beautifully understated yet searing solos throughout the night.

No new songs aired in the set this feels like it’s a big “Hi thanks for waiting glad you’re still there“ to the fans which Phil mentions numerous times that they’ve been blown away by the reception this return has had.

Whilst the set is taken from the three albums the lion share are songs from The Temperance Movement self titled debut with tracks like the swampy blues 'Ain’t No Telling', the Stonesesque 'Be Lucky' and an incredible heart wrenching 'Smouldering' to name but three.

A particular high light for me was 'Oh Lorraine' from 'White Bear' I just love that intro and opening vocal barrelling along into the foot stomping body of the song and that lush vocal and drum break in the middle! Just so infectious, not a still body in the room.

An emotionally charged 'A Deeper Cut' finished the main set and the guys looked like they’d given everything they had no one could accuse them of just dialling it in they meant every single minute of it!

Returning to the stage Phil once more stressed how much the fans here mean to the band and I know it would be a similar spiel most nights but it was genuine and heartfelt.

Treated to a lush cover of CCRs 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' before a storming 'Midnight Black' and 'Backwater Zoo' closed out the evening (the setlist had 'Serenity' on it but I’m pretty certain it wasn’t aired but I am getting on a bit).

First time I saw TTM it was at this same venue (2014 ish) at an all day summer fest and they certainly left an impression.

Tonight was a welcome return and here’s hoping this was just a toe in the water test for more new music and live dates to come!

Five years can be a long time in the music industry but The Temperance Movement showed tonight they have been sorely missed and needed!

Hopefully see you again soon.

The Temperance Movement

Photos & Review - G's Gig Shots