The Setlist & The Script

Ten years off the grid is a long time for any band, but for York’s own Elliot Minor, the return to the stage felt like no time had passed at all. Taking over the Crescent Venue for a warm-up show ahead of their mini-tour, the five-piece delivered a thunderous set that oozed nostalgia, technical brilliance, and a powerful reminder of just how much they were missed.

The walls of the Crescent seemed to vibrate with collective anticipation as the band emerged to the soaring strings of Jessica, an opener that wasted no time reintroducing their signature symphonic rock-meets-pop-punk sound. It was like stepping back into 2008, when iPods were thick, fringes were thicker, and Elliot Minor ruled our MySpace playlists.

For those of us who spent our teenage years screaming Parallel Worlds into the void, last night felt like a beautiful time warp. The crowd, a mix of long-time loyalists and curious newcomers, sang every word with the same energy as they did in their bedrooms a decade ago. The band, fronted by Alex Davies and Ed Minton, were visibly moved by the response, grinning, tight-knit, and as confident as ever.

What made this show more than a nostalgia trip, though, was the spark of something new. Fresh from releasing How Does It Feel, their first single in ten years and already The Front Row’s most-played track of 2025, the band have clearly still got the songwriting chops. Live, the new material sounded right at home in the setlist, slickly nestled among old favourites but offering a refreshed, matured take on their sound. If How Does It Feel is a teaser for more to come, fans should start getting excited now.

The setlist was a dream for day-one devotees. They ploughed through most of their self-titled debut, with Still Figuring Out, Running Away, and Last Call to New York City standing tall as euphoric highlights. Each track felt like a love letter to the fans who never stopped believing, fist-pumping anthems delivered with tight musicianship and just the right dose of drama.

Equally satisfying was the dive into Solaris, their often-underrated sophomore record. The title track was a standout, sweeping and cinematic, while I Believe, Electric High, and Discover Why the Love Hurts reminded the room that Elliot Minor weren’t just a one-album wonder. There’s a real range to their sound that often gets overlooked: part orchestral rock, part emo anthem, part musical theatre (in the best way possible).

Then came the encore, and what an encore it was. All My Life brought the goosebumps, Better Than The Courtroom brought the chaos, and Parallel Worlds… well, it brought the house down. That unmistakable string riff hit like a train and, for three glorious minutes, everyone was 16 again, screaming like their life depended on it.

With a handful of UK shows to come, including stops in London, Manchester, and Glasgow, Elliot Minor are proving they’re not just back, they’re back in form. But the real victory lap comes in June, when they take the stage at Download Festival. Expect one of the most packed tents of the weekend as old fans, scene kids and curious rockers alike squeeze in to witness a band who sound just as vital now as they did back in their heyday.

Elliot Minor’s return isn’t just a reunion for reunion’s sake, it’s a genuine reconnection with their fans, their music, and their identity. If last night proved anything, it’s that they’ve still got something to say, and a crowd very ready to listen.

To anyone lucky enough to catch them on the rest of the tour: you’re in for a hell of a night.
Welcome back, lads — we missed you more than you know.