Et Al. - Liverpool Sound City

@ Tunnel - 3 May 26

Story by Chloe Liston

20/05/2026

As a band, Et Al. have barely celebrated a trip around the sun, but on Liverpool Sound City Saturday, Tunnel was abuzz.

More than a handful of onlookers were wearing tees sporting the band’s logo, and the barrier brigade had sweated it out through multiple sets to grab and hold onto their front row spots – not that there was a barrier, at a venue so tucked away you can’t even Google Map it. Outside, a queue of jealous hopefuls stretched into the street, more than the Tunnel could allow. The trio arrived onstage, their drummer in tow, looking unfazed, sporting a lineup of Bratz doll-inspired outfits and sleeves of curated tattoos. Just another day in the office (if your office was a crowded, neon-lit tunnel in the basement of a bar). After some hesitant opening notes, belying the cool calm with which they’d walked in, they kicked off with Surely Temple. With just a couple of released tracks, the crowd bopped along, unfamiliar but with vigour to this punky and agreeably messy number. A hit, but not quite a banger upon first listen. This was followed closely by Lullaby, with frontman Stan Buckroyd announcing that it was only the third time they’d played it live. It’s quieter, but catchier. They hit their stride. The audience were hooked. Soon, a couple of notes on the cowbell signalled a wave of familiarity, jostling through the crowd. FatKid, their newest official release, but already their most well-known, having hit the FYP of every gig-goer with a half-decent algorithm. The Tunnel came alive with moshing. People climbing (and some failing to climb) onto others’ shoulders. Everyone singing (screaming) along. A dream performance for a fledgling band like Et Al. On a roll and hyped by the crowd, the set flew by too quickly. The band became more engaged with the audience, handing out a free tee to the loudest fan and getting involved in laddish banter. A lovely little vibe. I have sympathy for those in the back because the audience appeared as a tidal wave of bodies, tough to keep afloat in, let alone to catch more than a glimpse. Finally, their other officially released track Lotus rang out with its spaghetti cowboy-sounding riff, spurring on the crowd’s momentum but finishing the set on a high.

These guys are on the rise. They’re following closely in the footsteps of Keo and Bleech 9:3 (Bleech having played nearly the same slot the night before). New players on the same underground circuit, Et Al. are quickly building a keen following of teens and 20-somethings who make it their business to know every lyric, even while they can only be found in grainy reels and shaky YouTube videos. The buzz around Et Al. this early is rare and speaks to the punk revival that’s fast on the horizon. Catch them on the front row if you can.