06 February 2026 (gig)
4 h
HotWax are one of the most exciting emerging bands in the UK right now, and their show in Sheffield was loud and rebellious throughout.
Sidney and Matilda was full of energy from the second I entered, with many punters piling into the main room ahead of the show.
The support act of the night was Jeanie and The White Boys, a band I wasn’t familiar with, but they entered the stage with the underdog energy of the night and were the perfect act to get tonight’s show started.
As time moved forward, the atmosphere became increasingly intense as we awaited the arrival of HotWax. ‘Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)’ by Irma Thomas blasted through the speakers, and a sharp chill was felt in the room by those who associate it with Black Mirror. I think every time I’ve been to Sidney and Matilda over the past few months, the band has made their entrance through the crowd, and tonight was no different.
HotWax must have been doing something crazy backstage because the energy they conveyed as they burst into their first track of the night, ‘Hard Goodbye’, was absolutely incredible.
The band came across as very sweet and endearing, though I would suggest they are not too familiar with Sheffield, as they joked, “We didn’t know this many people lived in Sheffield,” which evoked laughter from the crowd.
As they moved through tracks such as ‘Wanna Be A Doll’ and ‘Treasure’, the passion and energy exuding from each member of the band never faltered. I think every single gig-goer was rooting for them throughout the set. Whether demonstrated by bouncing around or singing along to every line, it was clear the crowd were transfixed.
My favourite moment of the night was during the track ‘Drop’. The riff is electrifying and you feel it coursing through your veins. Likewise, the way Tallulah belted out “Cause you're angry, then you're not / Then I feel the tension drop” with such a powerful voice was delicious to witness.
HotWax finished their Sheffield set with ‘Rip It Out’, and it was the perfect way to end the show. This band are ones to watch, mark my words.
