The Tubs (GB)

In the organizer's words:

With their second album "Cotton Crown", the "Celtic Jangle" boy band The Tubs venture into darker, more personal territory - and at the same time refine their irresistible songwriting. The album marks a clear evolutionary step: a sonic expansion that ranges from soul-soaked pub rock ("Chain Reaction") to husker du-aggression ("One More Day") to melancholic sophisto-pop ("Narcissist").

As Pitchfork noted, The Tubs see jangle-pop as a broad field of moods and influences, which they consistently explore further with "Cotton Crown" - creating their very own "Tub-ular Sound" in the process.

Central to this is the vocals of Owen 'O' Williams - often compared to a young Richard Thompson - and his darkly humorous lyrics. Thematically, he moves between delusions of love, mental instability and life as a musician in London, but this time with noticeably more risk and openness. Particularly impressive: the final track "Strange", which deals with the suicide of his mother, the folk singer Charlotte Greig, in a calm, self-reflective, almost black-humorous way. The cover shows Williams as a baby breastfeeding in a cemetery - an old promo photo of his mother.

The highlight of "Cotton Crown" lies in the contrast between Williams' dark lyrics and euphoric, hook-laden pop songs. Guitarist George Nicholls moves confidently between jangle virtuosity à la Johnny Marr, folk-rock echoes of Pentangle and modern hi-fi grooves à la The 1975. The rhythm duo Taylor Stewart (drums) and Max Warren (bass) bring power-pop force and guided-by-voice rasp to every track. Indie rock at its best.

The debut album "Dead Meat" was an insider tip that quickly became a critics' favorite - with praise from Pitchfork, The Guardian, MOJO, SPIN and more. Celebrity fans such as Mark Proksch (The Office, Better Call Saul, What We Do in the Shadows) and Iggy Pop (via BBC 6Music) were among the early supporters. Kitty Empire (The Observer) called the debut "a shot in the arm for indie rock" - a welcome alternative to the pretentious post-punk of the British scene.

The Tubs have impressed with intense live shows and tours at festivals such as Green Man, End of the Road, Melbourne Rising and Canela Party. Members of the band (minus Stewart) were previously part of Joanna Gruesome, who won the Welsh Music Prize, toured extensively and were acclaimed by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NY Times and The Guardian. Lan McCardle (Joanna Gruesome, ex-Void) also contributes backing vocals.

The Tubs are part of the London collective Gob Nation - a network of bands, writers and promoters that was recently profiled in The Guardian.

The Tubs
12.11.2025
Gdanska, Am Altmarkt 3, 46045 Oberhausen
Admission: 19:00h
Start: 8pm

Price information:

26.36 € base price + 2.25 € fee