Peter Capaldi | Zoe Graham
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
1st March 2026
Peter Capaldi regenerates at the Brudenell Social Club. Louder Than War’s Andy Brown steps inside the TARDIS of tunes.
It’s Sunday night, and I can’t quite believe that I’m about to see Peter Capaldi play the Brudenell Social Club…DOCTOR BLOODY WHO! It’s perhaps no surprise to find that the legendary Scotsman-come-Time Lord has sold out tonight’s show. Intrepid Louder Than War photographer Jim Mumby points out that there’s fans at the back brandishing sonic screwdrivers, while the whole room is buzzing like we’ve been invited to step inside the TARDIS. I mean, I have heard that it’s bigger on the inside.
“The first time I was here someone shot a firework at me,” songwriter Zoe Graham explains, shortly after reeling off the many things – from the venue to the pies – that she loves about Leeds. “Sorry about that!” comes the instantaneous reply. Straight off the bat, the Glasgow-based musician has an undeniable connection with the crowd. If supporting a time travelling extraterrestrial feels like a somewhat daunting task then Graham certainly isn’t letting it show. Armed with a guitar and some pre-programmed sounds, she treats us to a joyous set of effortlessly cool, eighties-indebted alt-pop.
Highlights include the breezy brilliance of Push And Pull, a song called Evilin about restaurant critic Fanny Cradock (that may be a first!) and the exquisite pop of Divine Feminine Energy. Good Girl manages to get the whole room howling along to the chorus like “mangy strays.” In fact, it’s so popular that some particularly dedicated fans can barely restrain themselves and have the singer cracking up mid-song. Released last year, Graham’s debut album – Tent – addresses her time in therapy. Appropriately enough, tonight’s immensely enjoyable set feels like the best kind of treatment.
“I’m calling it the farewell tour,” a sharply dressed Peter Capaldi quips early into his set, “I’m 67 with a heart condition… you never know.” Accompanied by a band dressed exclusively in sparkly Adidas tracksuits, Capaldi is a lifelong music fanatic, finally getting to hit the road with his very first headline tour. Tonight’s show is all about seizing the moment and that rampant lust for life is utterly infectious. “Life keeps giving me the finger but I just can’t get enough,” he sings on the swaggering – and appropriately titled – It’s Not Over Until It’s Over.
As you might expect, Capaldi gives everything to his performance: pointing, pacing and fully inhabiting every song. Oh, and in case you weren’t already aware, the man plays a pretty mean guitar. The songs are rather inspiring too. Beautiful And Weird throws its arms around the outsider, while the audience participation in A Little Bit Of Class feels like one big communal pep talk. The energy and love flowing between the stage and the crowd is undeniable. Between the whooping and cheering, there’s even an impromptu chant of “Oh, Peter Capaldi!” to the tune of Seven Nation Army.
The songs are anchored in memories, yet determinedly embrace the here and now. Take Hollywood Or Bust, a song that takes some simple fatherly advice and transforms it into a life-affirming affirmation. Bin Night explores both the preciousness of life, legacy and the unexpectedly empowering act of putting the bins out. Musically, we move from the euphoric electro-pop of Is It Today to haunted ballads like The Great Magnificence. They even create a spur-of-the-moment song about the bassist in the style of legendary electronic innovators Suicide. No, really. Anything can happen in the TARDIS of tunes.
As if all this wasn’t enough, they deliver an ecstatic cover of All The Young Dudes (complete with a dash of Don’t Look Back in Anger) and a spirited rendition of The Cure classic, Friday I’m In Love. The latter finally proving – beyond any doubt – that Peter Capaldi is indeed a Time Lord, as he transports every single one of us back to the beginning of the weekend. It feels like Capaldi really can do anything and – what’s more – you leave the show feeling like you can too.
~
You can stream Peter Capaldi’s latest album – Sweet Illusions – in all the usual places and follow his musical escapades on Instagram.
You can find Zoe Graham on Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp.
All photos by Jim Mumby | You can find him on Facebook and Instagram.
All words by Andy Brown. You can visit his author profile and read more of his reviews for Louder Than War HERE.
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