Lime Garden at Electric Brixton

2026 has been quite a year for self-proclaimed “wonk pop” band Lime Garden – since the April release of their sophomore album Maybe Not Tonight, they’ve had a non-stop summer stacked with festival appearances before a whirlwind European tour. Looks like the hard work has paid off, for their biggest headline show to date here at the Electric Brixton is just that: electric.

Walking on to Petula Clark’s Downtown, vocalist Chloe Howard slings on her guitar and straight away leads the band into the thumping, driven beat of Body, before asking the venue if they’re ready to have some fun and diving into the brash cheek of Pop Star.

“This is fucking crazy…” she laughs, and raises a toast to say, “Cheers everyone, happy Wednesday!” Taken aback she may be at where the band find themselves, but it doesn’t show, holding the room with an unfazed confidence and letting everyone feel at ease while she’s in control, whether dancing on the riser with a tambourine or standing front and centre wielding her guitar.

In a world somehow becoming both sleeker and more chaotic, Lime Garden lean into the latter and embrace the hedonism of messy nights and morning-after regrets, from the hangovers to the heartbreaks. Their relatable songs shine in a live setting, deploying indie sleaze aplenty like on the pounding Maybe Not Tonight and the self-deprecating All Bad Parts with its killer singalong refrain: “All bad parts, that’s what I’ve got…”

There’s more than a hint of The Strokes to Leila Deeley’s effortless guitar work, showcasing a breezy mix of choppy rhythm and distorted solos throughout the set, while Tippi Morgan’s bass and the watertight drumming of Annabel Whittle anchor it all. The band’s chemistry is best displayed on tracks such as early single Clockwork, with its incessant pulsing groove before the room dances along to the high-energy Love Song.

All too soon, the set nears its end. “This song is for anyone who’s dated an evil moustached man,” declares Howard, with the whole room immediately joining in for the opening lines of “Cross my heart and hope to die, Yeah I don’t even know why…” before the entire floor is bouncing.

It’s something of an indie rite of passage to have a song on a FIFA game soundtrack – Lime Garden’s very own 23 is on the new FC27. It’s a brilliant choice both for the game and the final track tonight, with its throbbing synths, sneery vocals and one last chant: “Don’t come for me, not like that”.

With a broad grin, Howard shouts, “We’ve been Lime Garden, and we’ll see you at the O2 next time!” That could well be sooner than expected.

Gem Hurley
Photos: Nick Bennett

For further information and future events, visit Lime Garden’s website here.

Watch the video for Maybe Not Tonight here: