Kid Spirit took to the stage last Saturday night at The Grove for an intimate gig showcasing songs from their debut EP, Morning Star...
Cleethorpes natives Kid Spirit have branched out into Nottingham, with lead singer Luke Parker settling down in Mapperley as the band align themselves with the city. They've also performed at venues such as Mist Rolling Inn, Billy Bootleggers and The Chapel.
The Grove is fast approaching its second birthday, having opened in August 2024, and has become one of the city's most popular independent venues. There's a small bar in the corner, manned by co-founder Cam, a compact mezzanine floor providing bird's-eye views of the stage, and projected visuals on the back wall.
Support was provided by singer-songwriter and Grove regular Peter Hall; the Teesider has been a regular on the Nottingham gig scene for over 10 years, bringing his laid-back, folksy storytelling style to events such as Hockley Hustle and Oxjam in Beeston.
The evening's second support act was Joshua Todd, who opened for Kid Spirit at Mist Rolling Inn last year; this time, he was joined on stage by bass player Caleb Greer. Joshua is going from strength to strength and has had time to hone his 2025 releases, I Never Did and Anymore, both available on Spotify.
Kid Spirit have kicked off 2026 with a new EP, Morning Star, which has been featured in our Latest Listens section, as has the opening song of the night, Barriers, written by guitarist Lewis Duckworth, which blends grunge with anthemic rock for a belting tune and a pleasure to watch live.
The band followed with Live In This and Lost In Translation before moving on to another soon-to-be fan favourite, Receiver, which again brings my favourite parts of this band together. Wistful, poignant lyrics are carried by Parker's varied, high-pitched vocals, meshing with the band to create a simmering, thoughtful sound that gives way to a harder edge; it's a beautifully constructed, multi-layered song.
Drummer Matt Bell had commented after the soundcheck about The Grove's impressive acoustics, saying the sound stayed true and didn't echo or reverberate. Receiver's thumping drums, soaring chorus, and raucous outro were perfect for the venue.
They took it down a notch for one of their regular gig favourites, Julian's Alone, before another change in direction with A Million Pieces and a preview of what's to come in 2026 with 22 Hours, which will be out later in the year as part of a planned campaign culminating in a follow-up EP.
The boys were wrapping up their intimate set with the third and final track from Morning Star, Different, where Steve Heather's steady bassline rumbles beneath evocative synths and light, dreamy vocals, before seeing out the evening with Limbo.
It was another excellent Nottingham gig for Kid Spirit to add to their ever-growing reputation; the songs from Morning Star were warmly received as the band's enthusiasm and camaraderie radiated on stage, and were reciprocated by the crowd.
You can see Kid Spirit, supported by indie shoegazers Stereopium, on 2 October at Liquid Light on Robin Hood Industrial Estate, about a five-minute walk from The Grove.
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