After a bit of a hiatus from going to gigs myself and Amy restarted our shared passion by taking a trip up the M1 to Nottingham to see Thrice at Rock City on a Tuesday night, 17 March 2026. Thrice are well known for their emo hits from their 2003 album The Artist in the Ambulance. Their early sound reminds me of student nightclubs. I didn’t start my uni studies until 2013 but was still a frequent week-end drinker with my friends around that time (including Mosh Tuesdays).

When I said to friends and colleagues I was going to see Thrice most replied that they’d never heard of them. My (ahem) older college peers knew who I was talking about though. The demographic at a packed Rock City was certainly reflective of this.

Thrice started strong with hits from their newer record which I was more familiar with. I wasn’t cool enough to listen to their older records when released. Their newer albums Horizons/East and Horizons/West really caught me though. A much evolved sound compared to the emo anthems of previous eras. I prefer the lower register in the sung melodies and the slower but funkier pace of songs like Albatross.

Thrice were soon into old-school territory mixing in hits from decades gone by. It was a glorious and dynamic set throughout. The songs meandered beautifully. The thumping bass lines and chugging guitars cut through to my diaphram. It was a humbling experience.

I can’t recommend this band enough. Check them out if you can.