October Drift tore through Cabaret Voltaire with electrifying intensity, delivering a raw, high-energy set that left Edinburgh’s basement venue buzzing long after the final chord.
October Drift arrived in Edinburgh to promote their third album Blame the Young, carrying the weight of being described as one of Britain’s best live bands. It didn’t take long to understand why. In the dimly lit confines of Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire, October Drift unleashed a sonic storm that left the packed basement venue vibrating long after the final chord rang out.
In a smart move, the band had invited young, emerging groups to provide support. In Edinburgh, this came in the form of Thurso-based band Forgetting the Future. They took to the stage with confidence and launched into their set with energy and tight musicianship. Among their songs were fresh tracks like Southpaw and Play With My Ego, both slated for release later this year. One to watch if they’re playing near you.
By the time October Drift took the stage, the room was packed. Frontman Kiran Roy appeared, his silhouette backlit by moody blue lighting—a signal that the crowd was in for something special. Opening with the atmospheric slow-burn of their 2022 single Waltzer, the band built a wall of sound that was both delicate and powerful.
As this was the final night of their Spring Tour, the band were tight and well-rehearsed. Early tracks like Just Got Caught and Hollow went down well with the knowledgeable audience. The band’s energy was infectious—bouncing around the stage, thrashing at their gear, with Kiran and drummer Chris belting out the lyrics. The crowd was, by this point, completely under their spell.
The set had a rich mix of textures—heartfelt ballads like Nothing Makes Me Feel (The Way You Do), the post-punk snarl of Insects, and the anthemic Blame The Young.
A standout moment came with Cherry Red, which morphed from indie-rock anthem into something more primal and urgent than its studio version. Roy’s vocals soared above the distortion, while bassist Alex Bispham and drummer Chris Holmes locked into a driving rhythm that had the floorboards creaking beneath the crowd’s collective bounce. Guitarist Dan Young even joined the crowd, bouncing among the heaving, sweaty mass.
Incredibly, the band found another gear. Kiran worked the room, demanding full attention, walking through the audience during Airborne Panic Attack and even crowd-surfing during Wallflower.
For the finale, the band added a fan favourite—Like The Snow We Fall—played acoustically from within the delighted crowd. Kiran and Dave’s voices joined in chorus with the audience. For a moment, the outside world simply ceased to exist.
The intimate setting of Cabaret Voltaire proved the perfect showcase for the band’s dynamic range. During the quieter moments, you could hear ice clinking in glasses at the bar. During the crescendos, it felt as though the ceiling might cave in from sheer sonic force.
“We’ll definitely be back,” Roy promised as they left the stage—drenched in sweat and clearly elated by the reception. Based on this performance, their return can’t come soon enough. October Drift delivered something raw, authentic, and thrillingly loud. The ringing in this reviewer’s ears the next morning was a small price to pay for witnessing a band at the peak of their powers, hinting at even greater heights to come.
Words: Graeme White
Pictures: Josue Rodriguez @byjrod__