It didn’t take long for Red Rum Club fans to realize how extraordinary it is for a band meant for big stages to play in such an intimate setting. The energy inside Milwaukee’s Shank Hall was big, loud, and never empty on the evening of May 9th as the members of Red Rum Club took stage. Nicknaming their music style as “Mersey Mariachi,” the Liverpool-based band brought in fans from all over the Midwest to showcase their 2025 cinematic indie-rock album, Buck.
The six-member band didn’t hesitate to open the set with a high amount of confidence, playing their hit “Buck,” which doubles as the 2025 album title the band is touring. Immediately every audience member was captivated by the band’s signature sound; a distinctive high-energy indie rock paired with consistent and dramatic trumpet melodies. The western-influenced style is unique yet so appealing due to the danceable drum rhythms and easy to chant choruses. Trumpet player Eli Younger danced around the stage with an infectious energy, feeding the audience a sense that the band absolutely loved to be there. Longtime drummer Neil Lawson also played a role in the night’s momentum, driving rhythms that gave their songs that made for a stage feel. Tom Williams and Michael McDermott aided in the multi-layer vocal composition that make RRC’s music seem like it was built for live-stage performance. Simon Hepworth and his bass guitar locked in the drum line to set the song’s restless momentum.
Next up was “American Nights & English Mornings,” one of the most streamed songs from Buck and for good reason. Dramatic red set lights shone on the members as lead singer, Fran Duran continued the gritty, emotional storytelling displayed throughout the entirety of Buck. Americana meets western-influence as Duran sings about mixing late night freedom and the early morning reflection. This was especially prominent in the performance of Eleanor, one of the band’s most well known pieces. Stylistically, Eleanor feels like a late night drive mixed with a cinematic western scene. The crowd sang the chorus along with the band and everyone in the room had their hands in the air.
In a venue as intimate as Shank Hall, every instrument sounded raw and alive as the audience was just feet from the performers. Fran and the other members ensured to joke and laugh with the audience between songs, making sure the show felt personal and intimate. These sorts of interactions are often lost in larger venues and this intimacy turned into one of the night’s biggest strengths. On the other hand, the dedication the audience gave the band was unmatched and the connection between the two was very much alive and felt by everyone in the room.
Red Rum Club continued to play hits off of Buck, as well as their well known melodies. The most impressive pattern of this set was the way that the band effortlessly commanded the crowd. It’s rare to see a group of people come together and be so completely captivated for a couple of hours. Buck’s “Call Me On Your Comedown” started playing and within seconds the energy completely shifted. The crowd swayed in unison while couples broke off to slow dance with one another. Blue and purple lights shone on the crowd as each audience member seemed so connected with the song that was being played to them. The emotional ballad ended and the band immediately started “Crush,” an energetic, punchy, and almost chaotic song which is a clear fan favorite from Buck. Punchy drums, sharp trumpet lines, and catchy hooks filled the room and the audience was immediately dancing and jumping up and down again.
By the end of the night, Red Rum Club proved that a great live show has little to do with crowd size. Of course the band has sold out larger venues, but this evening they delivered a performance with such intensity and personality that it seemed like there were hundreds in attendance. The band ended the night with “Would You Rather Be Lonely”, the band’s most streamed tune, as well as their closing staple “Vanilla.” The crowd grew louder and louder as the encore started as if it would stop the band from exiting the stage. The audience jumped up and down chanting the upbeat chorus of “Vanilla” as the band members did the same. The fans awarded the band a loud applause and cheering after the completion of the last tune.
At the end of the night it was understood by everyone in the room that Red Rum Club’s undeniable stage presence was nothing short of exceptional. The crowd knew they had witnessed something far bigger than the venue suggested as the band has rapidly grown from being a respected UK indie band to a larger festival/touring act. Red Rum Club has delivered a one of a kind performance that no doubt will be remembered by fans for a very long time. Already having a loyal fanbase and actively engaging indie-rock connoisseurs, the band’s music has pushed them into a more expansive popularity.
Photos and review by Elena James
