Live Review: Andrew Cushin & The Rolling People – Docks Academy, Grimsby
24/05/2025
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
Just eight months after his last visit, Andrew Cushin returned to another sold-out Docks Academy in Grimsby, this time with a fresh set of songs from his new album ‘Love Is for Everyone’. The Grimsby gig marked the first official date of the album tour, following a warm-up show in Scunthorpe for Westview Live on Thursday. Supporting on the night were rising indie outfit The Rolling People.
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
I didn’t know too much about The Rolling People before the show, but it didn’t take long for them to make an impression. Named after The Verve track of the same name, they suited the dark, intimate vibe of Docks Academy perfectly. There was a real moodiness to their presence, brooding but magnetic and you could feel the crowd leaning in, curious, even before the first chord was struck.
They kicked things off with last year’s breakout track ‘I’ll Be There‘ and it instantly set the tone for the night. As the opening chords rang out, the energy in the room shifted, conversations faded, heads turned and you could feel the crowd collectively tuning in. It was the kind of opener that made everyone take notice and think, “Oh, hello.”
As the set went on, I could feel myself getting more and more drawn in, like I was being pulled into a new obsession without even realising it. By the time ‘Better Man‘ and ‘Before It’s Gone‘ rolled around, I was fully immersed, already thinking about where I could see them live again.
If swagger and strutting bravado are your thing, this is a band you absolutely need to have on your radar.
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
Just over two weeks after Andrew Cushin’s second album ‘Love is for Everyone‘ broke into the UK’s Official Top 40, it felt like perfect timing for him to hit the road and bring those new tracks to life. There was a real sense of anticipation in the room, not just because of the chart success but because this was the first proper chance fans had to hear the new material in its rawest form, live and loud. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was clear Cushin was ready to deliver and show his appreciation for those who went out and bought the album.
Impressively, Cushin made the bold decision to pack the setlist with 12 tracks from ‘Love is for Everyone‘, leaving just a handful of songs from his earlier work. In a 16-song set, that’s a clear statement of intent. It was a brave move, especially knowing that many in the room were likely drawn in by the raw charm of his debut. But rather than playing it safe, Cushin backed his new material fully and it paid off. Each track landed with confidence, showing not only how much he’s grown as a songwriter, but just how strong and cohesive this second album really is. The crowd didn’t waver, they stayed locked in, proving the new songs are already connecting in all the right ways.
In a world where so many young lads aim to be the next Liam Gallagher, Andrew Cushin seems to be carving out a path more in line with Noel. It’s there in the maturity of his songwriting, the way his tracks don’t just fill a room but take you somewhere. Maybe that’s why this set leaned so heavily on his new album, it’s a body of work that’s clearly meant to be experienced as a whole.
He opened with the anthemic title track ‘Love is for Everyone‘ and from the very first notes, he had the crowd right where he wanted them, completely locked in.
Next up was the infectious, short-and-punchy ‘Alright!‘ and what better way to pull in the rest of the room? It’s one of those feel-good tracks that sticks with you, the kind that loops in your head long after the final note. It’s the sort of song that can push an artist to the next level, catchy, confident and impossible not to move to. By the end of it, the entire room was swaying, bouncing.
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
Cushin has brought in none other than fellow Geordie and former Catfish and the Bottlemen and Detroit Social Club guitarist, Bondy! A serious asset to have in any band. His presence adds real weight to the live setup and that power was on full display during the darker, moodier tracks like ‘Kiss the Sky‘. The track was genuinely awe-inspiring. Cushin is already a magnetic performer in his own right but with Bondy weaving his magic beside him, it was hard to know where to focus. Both commanded the stage and together, they elevated the entire moment.
Cushin treated the crowd to the deluxe album closer ‘More Than You Know’ but the set was briefly cut short when someone down the front passed out. Without hesitation, Andrew stopped the performance to make sure they were okay, a true man of the people whose priority was the crowd’s safety.
Once everything settled, he returned with a jaw-dropping rendition of ‘Standing By My Side’. This is a personal highlight from the album for me, this ballad hits hard with maturity and raw emotion and live, it was on another level. Spine-tingling doesn’t do it justice. The whole place fell silent, stunned by the sheer power of what we were witnessing. A pure goosebump moment.
It took ten tracks before Andrew Cushin dipped into his older material and the fact he held the crowd the entire time, even drawing them in deeper with each new tune, just proves this album is the real deal.
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
When ‘It’s Coming Round Again’ finally broke the run of new songs, it landed perfectly. A beautiful anthem with a soaring, uplifting melody, it sparked hugs, kisses, and a singalong so loud it nearly lifted the roof off the former church. Cushin looked chuffed to bits, visibly moved as the crowd sang it back to him like their hearts and emotions depended on it.
Next came ‘Where’s My Family Gone‘, the Noel Gallagher produced track that served as a gateway into Cushin’s world for so many fans. It’s one of those songs that stops you in your tracks and in Grimsby, it did exactly that. You could feel the room fall into a hush as the weight of the lyrics and the rawness of the delivery hit home. This is where Cushin truly shines, tapping into real emotion, telling stories that linger and proving once again that when it comes to heartfelt, honest songwriting, he’s already a master of his craft.
A true staple in Cushin’s set has to be ‘Wor Flags‘. It’s hard to imagine him ever dropping this one, it’s become a proper singalong and bounce-along anthem. As soon as it kicked in, the energy surged. You could feel the floor literally shaking underfoot with the rhythm of the crowd jumping in unison and the walls echoed with the sound of hundreds shouting “La la-la la-la la” at full volume. It was one of those moments that reminds you just how powerful live music can be.
Photo by: Josh Corfield of Joshrocks-doesgigs and Revivalry
Andrew Cushin dug deeper into the new album with ‘Hollywood‘, a track from the deluxe version that already feels like it could be a future set opener. From the first line “Are you ready? Are you ready to take on the fight?” You could feel the mood shift. It was a proper chest-out moment, full of swagger and intent. The energy in the room surged and for a second, you could almost smell the testosterone in the air. It hit with real impact and you just knew this one’s going to become a live favourite.
‘I’m Coming Home‘ served as the perfect closer, not just to the set but to the album itself. A proper power ballad that wrapped the night in love and hope, it brought the crowd together one last time. Arms around shoulders, swaying, singing and for some, holding back a tear. not just because the song is beautiful but because the night was nearly over.
Andrew Cushin’s return to Grimsby will no doubt go down as one of those gigs people talk about for years, one of the best I have seen in the venue and the fact that he pulled this off with a setlist built almost entirely from brand-new songs, that still blows my mind. Once more people get their teeth into this album, there’ll be no stopping him. 2025 is shaping up to be Andrew Cushin’s year without a doubt.
Order ‘Love Is For Everyone’ here: https://andrewcushin.os.fan/
Read our review from Andrew Cushin’s last performance at Docks Academy here: https://theindiemasterplan.co.uk/live-review-andrew-cushin-the-matchbox-docks-academy-grimsby
