Gig review: Marmozets at Rescue Rooms

In late 2018, Marmozets embarked on what would turn out to be their final tour for seven years, a slot supporting You Me At Six in arenas across the country. Taking time to reconnect with one another entering parenthood - aswell as navigating a pandemic in its midst - the Yorkshire alt-rock royals are back and ready to plough on. As relentless as before, it's like they never left at all. For want of a better word, it's business as usual for them.

Guitarist Jack Bottomley has spent the past six years raising a daughter with his wife and Marmozets lead vocalist Becca Bottomley. The front-woman's younger brothers of Sam on Bass and Josh on drums make up the ensemble making it a full family affair. A dream for most - a nightmare for some - it's this refuelling sense of connection that has brought the rekindled band back.

With their return confirmed in ink amongst a record deal, the only thing left to do was to re-enter the live circuit. Earlier this week, the tour landed in the East Midlands. A bulging Rescue Rooms of 450 die hard fans were set to witness this marvellous resurrection tonight. A band we had all come to know as nothing more than a prevailing moment of brilliance, swept up in the ever-changing currents of an alternative rock landscape, were here again. Now, we can dismiss such damning statements of a band stuck to a moment in time. We can begin to look forward in what's to come.

Throughout their hiatus, a sense of reflection brought about a deep appreciation for beginnings and endings. Specifically, it brought about a stronger connection to hometowns in North Yorkshire. So it was only fitting to have a band based in Keighley - the next town along to their hometown of Bingley - to support. Four-piece Goo set the crowd up right with their roster of fuzzy belters and catchy hooks as energy and anticipation spiked up a few dials. Punky stint of Call in Sick was a firm favourite among polite heckles paying homage to the North from band and crowd. Never a more fitting tribute, all things considering.

Within the crowd there was a sense of something mystic in the air. For many, this was a moment we had been waiting for all too long. And before long, the lights dim. Anticipation builds, the rubbing shoulders of 450 sharing the kinetic energy fizzing about the room. Becca Bottomley strides out and roars into the ripping vocals of the bands' first returning single, A Kiss From A Mother. Wow. The question whether the band still have it has just been torn to pieces. A high-octane thrill of beatdown riffs and shrilling vocals that's Becca at her best, it's a call-back to all that ruckus as before and confirms that they do indeed still have it. Still taking life by the horns, unrelenting in delivery - but no doubt with a newfound perspective.

The band kick off a run of affirming classics, storming through Play and Is It Horrible, the thick and dirty riffs barraging a wall of percussive noise topped off with Becca's menacing snarls. A thesis of unadulterated brilliance shakes the confines as we're hit with Move, Shake, Hide, an emphatic anthem which, I've a feeling some in the crowd may know. It's fast, it's roaring and its alternative rock at its best.

We're then introduced to another newcomer in the setlist. A wonderfully boldened take on the bands' first visit to the Big Apple, the spiky punk-romp of New York is a sparkling reminisce of the bands' signing to Roadrunner in 2013. A commentary to what's been and gone, and what's to expect. Perhaps it's the full pile-on of Cut Back that makes you realise how ready they are, when such a track didn't make the cut itself on the record.

Time and time again, Becca expresses her most heartfelt gratitude as they get to experience this lifelong dream not only once but a second time around now, too. The fans, equally happy to see them back, are raucous in return. Sweaty moshers bounding and wailing; punters hoisted onto shoulders; a momentary pause in proceedings to see an OG fan (wearing old-school merch now out of print, which was pointed out) down his pint. Of course, the crowd are only as good as you give it yourself on stage. So it's no surprise that bassist Sam promises to be up on the balcony in the photobooth taking every picture he can with as many people in the room as possible. Hefty cheers fill the room. A reception received only to those bands who hold nothing back - and really mean it.

The closing curtain of the off-kilter and erratic Why Do You Hate Me? and Major System Error sounds just as fresh and exciting as when they first belted these tunes out twelve years ago. In more ways than one, they are. Marmozets are not just merely blowing off the cobwebs or loosening up limbs. This is a full-frontal force of vigour and energy as they reprise their role, ready to go gung-ho once again. As Becca rounds off her own story coming true in Major System Error, promises are made that we'll see them real soon before departing the stage - perhaps questioning why they ever took a break in the first place.

With the strength of wisdom, attitude and outlook, the band are ready to carve out a new era. Sounding as weird and wonderful as ever; it might just be their best one yet.

Marmozets performed at Rescue Rooms on 26th January 2026.

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