THE COST rolled into Rescue Rooms on Monday 16 February 2026 as part of their Doppler Affection tour, delivering a high-octane night that showcased three very different but complementary live acts. With doors opening at 7:30pm, the evening ran like clockwork — no wasted time, no loss of momentum — and a packed room clearly ready for a loud one.
Opening duties fell to Gannets from Lincoln, who eased the crowd in with a brooding, psych-leaning set built on swirling guitar work and steady, hypnotic rhythms. Their sound felt expansive and unpolished in the right way, focusing on atmosphere rather than instant hooks. While they didn’t ignite the room immediately, they laid down a strong opening statement and hinted at a band with plenty of growth ahead. The response was warm and attentive — an encouraging sign for an early slot.
The pace shifted sharply when indie-punk band Made You Look / Made You Stare took the stage. From the first few bars, their opening track “Let’s Make Them” hit harder and faster, driven by gritty riffs and a clear sense of urgency.
Vocalist Kimberly Ann Story Furner was confident from the off, engaging with the crowd throughout the set. There was a slightly emotional pause mid-set to announce that this would be bassist Bob Sutton’s final show with the band, prompting loud chants of “Bob, Bob, Bob” from the crowd.
Stand-out tracks for me were “Facade” and “1000 Miles”, both delivering punchy hooks wrapped in raw attitude — enough to send me straight to Apple Music for a replay on the drive home. Their intensity translated perfectly in the room, pulling more people towards the front and acting as the ideal bridge between the hazy opener and the heavyweight headliner. A very enjoyable set, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for new material.
Made You Look / Made You Stare – Setlist
- Let’s Make Them
- Sanctimonious
- Facade
- Occupied
- Snake Oil
- 1000 Miles
- Audacious
- Body Check
By the time THE COST emerged, Rescue Rooms was primed. Featuring drumming phenomenon El Estepario Siberiano alongside singer/guitarist Peter Connolly and bassist Chris Attwell, the band wasted no time in asserting control.
I was slightly concerned that many in attendance might be there purely to see El Estepario Siberiano, but as soon as they launched into “Into The Drone”, it became clear there was a strong core of genuine fans in the room.
The set was tight, heavy, and relentless — huge riffs locked in with precision grooves, all delivered with a confidence that filled the venue. The balance between technical skill and raw power kept the crowd fully engaged, turning the room into a sea of nodding heads and raised fists.
Three songs in, Connolly mentioned the band had recently worked with Serj Tankian on their track “Her Eyes”, before launching into a cover of System Of A Down’s “Chop Suey”, which sent the crowd into full bounce mode.
For a relatively new band, the setlist was packed with banger after banger. “One Of A Kind“ and “The Bricklayer“ stood out in particular, though in truth the entire set was relentless from start to the raucous finale of “Not For Me”, capped off with one of the most jaw-dropping drum solos you’re ever likely to witness (the man genuinely feels alien).
As a whole, the night worked because of its contrast. Gannets brought mood, Made You Look Made You Stare brought bite, and The Cost brought sheer force. Rescue Rooms once again proved why it’s one of Nottingham’s best mid-sized venues — intimate, loud, and close enough to feel every kick drum.
If this show was any indication, The Cost’s Doppler Affection tour is well worth catching. A powerful, well-curated lineup and an easy 9/10 night.
THE COST – Setlist
- Into The Drone
- Counting Every Dime
- Chop Suey (System Of A Down cover)
- Her Eyes
- Rogue
- One Of A Kind
- King Illusion
- The Greater Good (new song)
- Ginger
- Floods
- The Bricklayer
- Animals (new song)
- Not For Me
Words & images: Mac Byrne
