South Arcade // O2 Institute, Birmingham

Nov 29

South Arcade Prove They’re the Next Big Thing at Sold-Out Birmingham Show.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

South Arcade performing for a sold-out O2 Institute in Birmingham.
Photo Credit:***DAN ROSE***

On the night before releasing their second EP, PLAY!, South Arcade took over the main room of Birmingham’s O2 Institute—and they did it in style. The show was completely sold out, with fans filling every inch of space, buzzing with excitement long before the band stepped on stage.

I’ve been following South Arcade for a while now, ever since they randomly followed me on Instagram and I fell down the rabbit hole of their early releases. Back then they had a relatively small online footprint; now they’re sitting just under 500,000 Instagram followers and growing fast. It’s been amazing to watch their rise.

Part of what makes them stand out is their whole Y2K-inspired aesthetic. It taps into the kind of nostalgia that instantly pulls you in, and it makes their style feel fresh in a sea of sameness. They know exactly who they are, and it shows.

Opening the night was Liverpool band STONE. I only caught the end of their set, but their energy was infectious, and they seemed genuinely grateful to be performing to such a packed room.

South Arcade’s stage setup was impossible to miss—four giant graffiti cans flanked the stage, with the band’s logo displayed proudly behind a raised platform for the drums. Two small platforms on either side hinted that the guitarists had plans for them later (spoiler: they did). Just before 9 p.m., Harmony Cavelle (vocals), Harry Winks (guitar), Ollie Green (bass), and Cody Jones (drums) hit the stage.

With only a handful of singles and two EPs, the band delivered a tight 13-song set that lasted about an hour. But honestly? It was one of the most high-energy hours I’ve seen all year.

Harmony is a natural frontwoman—her presence, her voice, her charisma—it all comes effortlessly. The entire band works together so cohesively that it’s impossible not to get swept up in their energy. Fans threw Pokémon cards onto the stage (which the band found hilarious and adorable), crowd-surfed, and jumped on shoulders throughout the set, adding to the wild, electric atmosphere.

One standout moment? Harry and Ollie leaping off the stage mid-song to join fans in a mosh circle. Meanwhile, the giant graffiti cans “sprayed” smoke toward the crowd thanks to cleverly placed smoke machines. It was a small detail, but one that made the show feel even more immersive.

The setlist featured tracks from their debut EP 2005 alongside new material from PLAY!. Harmony joked that they “saved the best for Birmingham,” refusing to leave the top-tier energy for the final London date.

Some of my personal favourites—“Stone Cold Summer,” “Danger,” “Unaware,” and “2005”—hit just as hard live as they do in headphones.

South Arcade are only heading upwards from here. Their sound is catchy, their shows are exhilarating, and they bring something genuinely refreshing to the current music scene. I can’t wait to see what they do next. If you get the chance to see them live—take it. And definitely go stream their new EP PLAY!.