After a busy 2024 opening for The Luka State earlier in the year, and a summer filled with British festivals such as Reading & Leeds and Truck Festival, Carsick opened the 2025 gig season with their first European headline tour. They finished it with a sold-out show in The Netherlands. Arriving at Vessel 11, a scenic location in the old harbours of Rotterdam, Carsick had the boat rocking after just a few notes with an enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed plenty of mosh pits throughout the night. Carsick’s festival run was highlighted by their main stage appearance at Truck Festival and their BBC Introducing set at Reading and Leeds, making last year one of their biggest to date.
With their post-punk, British indie rock, and electronic influences, this four-piece band consists of singer Joe, bassist Jack H., drummer Tom and guitarist Jack R., who bring back the joy of living for the weekends and showcase the typical British culture. With a setlist full of high-energy bangers and lyrics that bring you right back to the realities of growing up, Carsick shows that they are the perfect example of the punk subculture that the UK has been known for for so many years.
The Salisbury-based band certainly knows how to keep their fans entertained, not only by making the crowd laugh, but also by giving away merch to the first one to crowd surf. Although Jack R. was a huge fan of the competition, even leaping off the stage mid-performance to join the mosh pit with his guitar, he wasn’t the first to grab the prize, and a lucky fan ended up taking the shirt home. Bassist Jack H. also knows a thing or two about working the stage, leaving no part of it unused.
The night’s many mosh pits reached their peak when the band closed their set with their most popular song, ‘It Is What It Is.’ With other beloved singles such as ‘Local Legend’ and ‘Gig Tax’ sprinkled throughout the setlist, the band made sure to keep the crowd’s energy high during the entire evening, while also explaining the struggles of the working class and trying to make it in this difficult industry.
To close the night with a bang, Carsick performed their latest release ‘Pub Watch’, with singer Joe deciding to take a break from his usual centre stage by jumping up on drummer Tom’s drum kit, delivering a performance that was met with a lot of enthusiasm from the crowd. Further enhancing the rocking of the boat and the, by this time, feeling of letting go of the day-to-day life to dance the night away. The idea of being just a tiny bit too hot and sweaty translates well to the ideas of the song, making it a perfect song to end the night with.
‘Pub Watch’ relates to the feeling of going out, having a few too many drinks and ultimately ending up on someone’s bad books (we’ve all been there). The song can be described as a mix between the band’s own style and a little bit of drum and bass, along with lyrics that will hopefully hold you accountable on your next night out.
Short but mighty, Carsick’s first European headline tour gave us a glimpse of what this up-and-coming band can achieve in the future, with high energy and engaged music for all new punk fans to enjoy. Let’s hope they’ll be back soon with even bigger and better shows!
