From a showstopping performance at Bristol's Strange Brew 2 years ago, to selling out the Trinity Centre tonight, Flyte celebrated the release of their fourth studio album in style proving there’s no doubt they’re headed for bigger and brighter stages.

Where some bands grab attention with volume; Will Taylor and Nick Hill do it with a quiet intensity as they slipped onto the stage unassumingly. Opening with Emily and Me and Losing You in near-whispered tones, the effect was immediate. Conversation halted, the crowd leaned in, and suddenly the space felt all the more intimate. 

Flyte never overplay. The arrangements are uncluttered, allowing the songs to breathe. In a larger venue, that restraint might risk fading into the background, but here it was magnetic as fans clung to every note strummed. A spell that might've lasted the whole night were it not for Alabaster which arrived early and shifted the energy entirely. Here Will abandoned restraint, attacking his guitar with a wiry, urgent run of notes, hands tearing across the fretboard in a frantic yet equally composed manner. Indulgent, and a sharp reminder that Flyte can summon grit and muscle when they choose.

That surge carried straight into Perfect Dark, with Taylor crafting his own DIY dampening effect by stuffing what appeared to be a cloth into the guitar body. “We’re trying to keep this show as analogue as possible,” he explained, demonstrating that even the backing tracks are played via cassette tape, expertly changed courtesy of percussionist Roy Lowe. 

With Between You and Me barely two weeks old, the new album dominated the set. Recorded live and swiftly, these performances offered the band their first real chance to explore the songs alongside the audience, creating a shared experience. Hurt People landed hardest, its uneasy rhythm amplifying the rawness of the lyrics, while Hello Sunshine and Cold Side of the Pillow showcased the band at their most stark and vulnerable. Older material was spaced carefully throughout: Cathy Come Home prompted the first sing-along, Everyone’s a Winner had the audience swaying, and White Roses swelled with nostalgia. Their cover of Alvvays’ Archie, Marry Me added a playful spark before the encore, perfectly highlighting their impeccable harmonies. 

“I’m always so relieved when that one’s done,” joked Will on its difficult delivery as he and Nick returned to the stage amid rapturous applause. The encore felt special. Everybody Says I Love You was delivered with a mix of nerves and excitement, before closing with the meditative pairing of Faithless and Speech Bubble. Two tracks that cast reflective, hushed devastation through the room, their lyrics capable of cracking even the sternest hearts.

In Bristol, Flyte proved they can be delicate and devastating, often in the same breath. Their meticulous attention to detail, combined with a self-assured presence as a touring band, makes it clear why their music truly comes alive in a live setting. One not even the weather could dampen. 

*****