North East music lovers unite! After a couple of intimate – but reportedly blistering – warm-up shows testing their newly recorded material, West Yorkshire’s long-running indie stalwarts The Cribs are set to storm Newcastle. Their UK tour, riding high on the release of their ninth studio album, ‘Selling A Vibe’, lands at Boiler Shop on Wednesday 18th March.
Released on 9th January 2026 via Sonic Blew and PIAS (Play It Again Sam), ‘Selling A Vibe’ marks The Cribs’ first new record in over five years. The album delivers a lively combination of visceral hooks and brooding reflections on band life and existential musings after more than two decades of creative exploration. Critics and listeners alike have welcomed it as both a nod to the band’s roots and an adventurous step forward, demonstrating that The Cribs continue to evolve while staying true to their signature sound.
The Jarman brothers – Ryan, Gary and Ross – lean into sculpted songs that feel lived-in and road-tested, yet never lose urgency. Across a dozen tracks, they explore moments of self-interrogation, humour, and brotherly solidarity, all wrapped tight in their signature syncopated guitar riffs, memorable hooks, and earworm choruses. Tracks such as ‘Echoes of Yesterday’ and ‘Neon Heartbeat’ showcase their ability to fuse reflective lyricism with driving energy, creating an immediacy that translates perfectly in a live setting.
The Boiler Shop date is among the most anticipated on the tour, not just because the venue’s cavernous industrial structure lends itself to volume and exposure, but because North East audiences have long demonstrated their love for sing-alongs, pogoing, and a fervent passion for live music. Expect a medley of album-fresh material alongside fan-favourite deep cuts such as ‘Men’s Needs’ and ‘Hey Scenesters!’, blended seamlessly with the band’s heart-warming between-song chatter and on-stage vitality.
Fans who caught the warm-up shows have already started the buzz around this tour, making it one worth diarising before spring properly wakes up. This is a live-music treat for anyone chasing guitar hits, chorus unification, and hints of punk, indie, and garage rock – all rolled into a band with a history, yet behaving as though the story is only just beginning.
For those who haven’t experienced The Cribs live before, the show promises the full spectrum of their musical personality: raw, raucous energy tempered by melodic intelligence and a knack for creating communal moments that linger long after the final chord.
Tickets, priced at £33.55 in advance, are available at boilershop.net.
