Concert Review: Those Damn Crows (Circuit, Kingston-Upon-Thames - Saturday 29th November 2025)

Written: 30th November 2025

2025 has been an exceptional year for Welsh rock quintet Those Damn Crows, building on their largest headline show to date at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena in December 2024. Their latest album, God Shaped Hole (see my full review here), soared to Number 1 on the Official UK Album Chart and received widespread critical acclaim, firmly establishing the band as one of the most exciting acts on the scene.

After a successful run of UK and European dates, the band rounded off the year with a unique acoustic performance in Kingston upon Thames. Fans braved a bitterly cold evening to queue outside the newly refurbished Circuit (formerly PRYZM), a venue that proved ideal for the occasion with excellent sightlines and an intimate atmosphere.

On arrival, attendees were presented with exclusive keepsakes including a commemorative lanyard and a signed lyric sheet, cherished reminders of what would become an unforgettable night. The band have an excellent relationship with their fans and as they took to the stage, they were greeted with rapturous applause. Before playing any songs, they posed for a photo with the crowd, which would create another lasting memory as a printed copy would be available for everyone to take home at the end of the night.

The music began with a fiery performance of Let’s Go Psycho. With the entire band contributing to this evening’s concert, the track retained its powerful message based on the idea of a three-way conversation between human, God and AI. The audience were full of diehard fans and, encouraged by vocalist Shane Greenhall, there was fervent participation throughout each song. Blink of an Eye from their debut album Murder and the Motive carried particular weight, delivered with passion by the quintet. A song about the time and place where they grew up and a reflection on how much had changed since childhood, its lyrics resonate in today’s fast modern world with anyone who looks back at a time that can never be recaptured. Restricted by the layout of the venue, there were no balancing acrobatics from the vocalist tonight but several times during the evening he left his seat to get everyone involved.

Q&A sessions were woven into the set, with fans having submitted questions the previous day. Two songs separated each session and the questions were grouped into four themed sections covering a wide range of topics. These included the band’s favourite tour memories, with the members joking that what happens on tour stays on tour. One highlight was guitarist David Winchurch recounting the moment he bowed to Alice Cooper in true Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy” style when the band supported Hollywood Vampires.

Other questions explored the songwriting process, showcasing the good-natured relationship between the members, as well as lighter topics such as whether pineapple belongs on pizza and their favourite songs to play live. A particularly touching moment came when an eight-year-old fan received a hug from Shane after revealing she had asked Santa to make this wish come true. Another question asked whether the band would like to write a James Bond theme, which led to playful suggestions that guitarist Ian “Shiner” Thomas would make an excellent 007 himself. Coincidentally, since first hearing it earlier this year, I have always felt that the third track on God Shaped Hole, Fake, carries that same Bond-like quality, particularly in its opening and chorus.

As the evening progressed, the set highlighted the band’s range and depth. The energy soared with Who Did It, the barnstorming opener from their second album Point of No Return, which had the entire audience clapping and singing along. Dreaming from the current album followed, a track that perfectly suits the acoustic format. Its gentle verses provided a striking contrast to the more intense choruses, revealing the band’s ability to bring nuance and texture to their music.

Midway through the performance it was a pleasure to hear Behind These Walls - one of my favourites from the debut album and a song that had not been played for some time - paired with Be You. These two tracks added a sense of rarity and warmth to the night, underlining just how rich the band’s catalogue has become. Almost any song from their repertoire would sound magnificent in a live setting and tonight proved that beyond doubt.

A question about favourite karaoke songs and potential karaoke partners sparked one of the most entertaining moments of the night. The fan who asked was invited on stage and, with laughter and encouragement from the band and the crowd, joined them along with two other audience members to help out on Glass Heart. It was a spontaneous and good-humoured scene that perfectly reflected the easy connection between the band and their fans affectionately known as the Crow Family.

Spit and Choke injected punk-like aggression that kept the energy high and the momentum alive. The evening closed with Sin on Skin as Shane Greenhall left his seat once more, commanding the stage while the crowd responded with unrelenting enthusiasm. It was a fitting end to a night that celebrated music, fun and the bond that makes this band so distinctive.

This was a special evening that felt like more than a concert. It was a celebration of God Shaped Hole reaching Number 1, a milestone for the band and their fans. Yes, a few more songs would have been welcome, yet the atmosphere and sense of unity made the night unforgettable. The band were on fire and the crowd were thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Collecting the group photo print on the way out was an added bonus and its A3 size came as a surprise, a perfect reminder of the occasion as was the meet and greet following the concert. It will be fascinating to see how Those Damn Crows build on the success of 2025 and I look forward to being part of the ride.

Those Damn Crows setlist: Let's Go Psycho / Blink of an Eye / Who Did It / Dreaming / Behind These Walls / Be You / Glass Heart / Spit and Choke / Sin on Skin