In the heart of Liverpool’s West Derby Road stands the Olympia Theatre, which, for one unforgettable night in November, belonged to The Cheap Thrills. The legendary venue with its grand four-tiered auditorium comprising of stalls and three sprawling balconies, holds within its walls, the ghosts of old-time entertainment, where Houdini once performed, and lions roared from the basement. But tonight, this 119-year-old icon was not hosting magicians or circus acts; it was alive with the raw, electric energy of Liverpool’s own four-piece sensation.
Frontman Lewis Pike set the tone with a nod to the theatre’s wild history: “The Olympia, ay—from the elephants to Houdini to the f*cking Thrillers!”. His pride was palpable as he and his bandmates - bassist Callum Fitzpatrick, guitarist Terry Eaves, and drummer Anton Eager - prepared to own the same stage that had hosted so many legendary acts. For The Cheap Thrills, this was not just a gig; it was a defining moment in a city that raised them.
Ahead of the headliners, the early crowd enjoyed some of Liverpool’s finest local talent: The Sway, Neil Noa, and Spinn, with Shit Indie Disco spinning tracks between sets. While the entire lineup was stellar, it was Spinn’s dreamy, upbeat indie sound and frontman Jonny Quinn’s infectious dancing that won over the room. Spinn’s performance, a foray into upbeat Indie Dream-Pop, contrasted sharply with The Cheap Thrills’ raw, charged energy. Yet Jonny Quinn’s charisma - mixing vulnerability with joy - captivated the crowd. “He hates when I dance like this" he laughed after one especially uninhibited move, prompting cheers; even those unfamiliar with Spinn could not help but smile, drawn into Jonny's light-hearted charm.
Then, not long after the sound of The Stone Roses' ‘In My Mersey Paradise’ filled the room, The Cheap Thrills took the stage in a blend of retro and modern edge that captured the essence of Liverpool’s music scene. They launched into their opener, ‘Heart Attack’ with no introduction - just pure, unfiltered energy. The crowd erupted, the atmosphere shifting from anticipation to electrified reality as the band tore through their setlist with the swagger of early Arctic Monkeys and the poetic grit of The Coral.
The stage was adorned with homemade signs bearing messages like ‘All Roads Lead to Olympia’ and ‘Flying Down County’ - symbols of local pride and tribute to the band’s roots in Walton Vale. Each song amplified this sense of homecoming, especially as they launched into ‘Last Orders’ and ‘Home (I Want You Forever)’ crowd favourites that sparked massive sing-alongs. And when they played a track inspired by nearby Anfield stadium, just a mile and a half away, the entire theatre pulsed with the unity and hometown pride.
Throughout the set, Lewis' connection with the crowd was magnetic, often pausing to revel in the sea of familiar faces and the unmistakable Liverpool energy. “Yes, how are we?” he shouted. “We’re just a bunch of scallies from the Vale, and we’ve sold out the fucking Olympia!”. The humility and awe in his voice transformed this massive venue into an intimate celebration—a shared triumph between the band and their fans. You could sense the wonder in his voice, as if he too was absorbing the enormity of this achievement.
But it was during ‘Calypso Blue’ that one of the night’s most unforgettable and poignant moments unfolded. Guitarist Terry Eaves swapped his Jag-Stang for a gleaming Gretsch and beckoned the audience to join in, creating a deeply moving call-and-response that filled every corner of the theatre. From ten-year-olds on shoulders to beer-hoisting grandfathers, everyone belted out the lyrics, “And if all the stars in the sky all aligned, I’d be there with you". It was a magical, almost spiritual moment that captured the entire journey of this band in a single song.
The pace quickened again with the punchy, danceable ‘Tranquilo’ and the crowd swayed in unison, lost in the intoxicating blend of rhythm and melody. Each player shone: the bassist’s searing riffs, the electrifying harmonies of Lewis and Terry, and the drummer’s deft timing - a showcase of musicianship that explains why they have amassed such devoted fans.
With each song, it became increasingly clear that The Cheap Thrills had something extraordinary. It was their fierce passion, their love of one another and their camaraderie that made the night electric.
The crowd reached fever pitch and became even more animated during ‘Escape’ a playful acoustic number that had people chanting the letters of the title anthemically. As confetti showered down, Lewis laughed, “Take some of that confetti home, have it on your dinner or something”. The band took full advantage of this high-energy moment, diving right into the newer tracks, before throwing it back to the perfect trifecta: ‘Saint or Sinner’ ‘Reborn’ and ‘Party’ each met with ecstatic applause.
As the final chords of ‘Party’ echoed, fans erupted into a chant of “We’re not going home” filling the space with a sentiment that echoed through the building, blending seamlessly with the final riffs. For that moment, no one wanted to leave, as if this connection, this night, could somehow stretch on forever.
Then came the encore. Drummer Anton Eager, typically stationed behind his kit, stepped to the front of the stage to dedicate a song to his late uncle: “This one’s dedicated to my uncle, Jason Morland, who should have been here tonight”. With a glance at a banner emblazoned with the words, “There’s nobody quite like you, and that I’ve realised” the band launched into the hauntingly beautiful ‘Codependence’. This rendition began tenderly, with just vocals and soft keyboard chords before building into the euphoric anthem fans have come to love. Arms wrapped around shoulders, pints lifted high, and tears mingled with smiles as everyone joined in for one final, unforgettable chorus.
Four young men, unsigned and without a record label, sold out one of the city’s most iconic venues leaving an indelible mark on its 119-year-old legacy. In 90 minutes, The Cheap Thrills had transformed the Olympia into a living, breathing celebration of Liverpool— a sanctuary for the people, the music, the spirit, and the heart of this city. A simple Friday night in November became something magical, something pure and unmistakable.
For anyone lucky enough to be there, it was more than a gig; it was a triumph, an electrifying display of a city’s pride woven into the threads of a band. Simply put, it was an experience that will linger long after the lights go down.
Words - Lucy Holden
Photo - Liam Maxwell
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