BEARS IN TREES: NOTTINGHAM, UK
Bears In Trees with support from Soot Sprite
at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham, UK - 15/02/2026
words and photos by Schuyler “Sky” Aldridge
There are a few bands out there that have as much vibrancy and glowing energy as the self-proclaimed “dirtbag boyband” Bears In Trees. Having been active for nearly ten years, the band has built strong roots with both young and old fans, myself included, having listened to them throughout my impressionable teenage years. With their 2024 release, How to Build an Ocean: Instructions, they cemented their ability to consistently produce incredibly catchy tracks while referencing pop culture and proving to be relatable with those who have had perhaps slightly alternative teenage experiences.
Fast forward to 2026, Bears In Trees are back, and more true to themselves than ever with the dual release of the Success is Unlikely and Success is Monumental EP, describing this new era as “everything to us, with nothing feeling as urgent or cathartic or as needed as this.” Alongside the new releases, the band announced a 2026 UK/EU tour where fans could expect to hear the band play their renowned bangers and new hits - in their most authentic form.
The opening night of the tour took place at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham – a spacious 450-cap venue situated outside the famed Rock City. The queue was impressive and vast, despite the smaller venue, although this is no surprise given that Bears In Trees has fostered such a strong community throughout the years.
Rising Exeter trio, Soot Sprite, took the stage an hour after doors opened, starting with ‘Surprise Guilty Party’, a standout from their 2025 debut album, Wield Your Hope Like a Weapon. While Elise Cook initially started Soot Sprite as a lo-fi pop project, the sound has since evolved into shoegaze.
A highlight of their set occurred during one of their most popular tracks, ‘All My Friends Are Depressed.’ The song collapsed into a quiet, peaceful bridge with a lightly strummed guitar and soft vocals before erupting into a vibrant explosion of loud, dirty and rough instrumentation.
Only a short wait after Soot Sprite’s powerful and explosive set, Bears In Trees were moments away from taking the stage. The band were kind enough to give fans a sneak peek at the setlist through their Instagram page shortly before the tour kicked off, so fans were ready for an extended intro ‘Left, Right, Goodnight!’ Being the first track to release as part of the “new era”, it was only fitting to open up with this banger. Iain Gillespie (vocals/bass) belting “...and I hope you can forgive me for that!” before bursting into the catchy chorus proved to be an intense way to hype the crowd.
‘Heard It In A Dream’ was impeccable live, the track starting slow with soft vocals and keys before building into a groovy track which had the whole crowd dancing. The repeated lyric, “The sun breaks poems fade,” stood out for the melodic contrast between Iain’s rougher style of singing and Callum (Litchfield)’s softer, higher-pitched lines.
During arguably Bears In Trees’ most famous song, ‘Heaven Sent is a Coffee Cup’, Callum engaged in his signature move of entering the crows. He ran throughout the venue, at one point singing from inside a photo booth with fans before taking a photo. This moment of pure joy solidified the safe, communal space the band provides.
The raw and heartbreaking ‘Ramblings of a Lunatic’ hit the crowd in the feels. Navigating the loss of a friend with the lyric “‘Cause all my friends are dying, some faster than others,” the song offers a transparent look at pain, giving the crowd a moment to recognise these feelings safely and openly. It concluded with an incredible roar from the crowd when the instrumentals faded out, leaving fans to sing the last lyrics on their own.
Bears In Trees feel more authentic than ever, showcasing their energy and clear love for their fanbase. Soot Sprite proved to be an incredible opening act, received beautifully by a crowd that likely contains many of their newest fans.
SOOT SPRITE
BEARS IN TREES
