CRYSTAL TIDES - 28/03/2026

Following the release of their debut album ‘Toothpaste’, Portsmouth five-piece Crystal Tides wrapped up their nine-date UK tour with their biggest headline yet, taking over Camden’s Electric Ballroom for a triumphant finale. The band - comprised of Billy Gregory, Harry Knowles, George Regan, Neil Cripps and Joe Knights - were touring on a wave of momentum, having reached #37 on the Official UK Albums Chart, climbed to #1 on the Official Download Chart, and sold over 50% of Electric Ballroom tickets through presale alone. With expectations running high, Crystal Tides wasted no time in proving the hype was well deserved. The moment they burst onto the stage, the room erupted, setting the tone for a high-energy set that celebrated the band’s recent successes and the fantastic new music.

With multiple band members joking that they would end up crying at some point during the night, it was clear early on that this would be an emotional show. The evening marked a significant milestone for Crystal Tides - their biggest ever headline and the closing night of a successful tour - and it was clear how much it meant to both the band and their team. At the same time, newer songs shaped by personal struggles, reflection, and resilience added another layer of depth to the set, giving the performance a feeling of intimacy and allowing more reflective moments to sit alongside the night’s celebratory atmosphere.

Opening with the album’s first track, ‘Better Weather’, it was immediately clear how much the boys love being on stage. Despite this being their ninth show in ten days, the energy they brought from the very first song was genuinely impressive, with each member throwing themselves fully into the performance. The setlist struck a balance between newly released album tracks and earlier fan favourites, highlighting the band’s growing discography while keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish. By mixing fresh material with songs that fans already knew and loved, the band created a set that felt both like a showcase of the new album and a reminder of how far they’ve come, making sure there was something for everyone in the crowd.

When they reached ‘Sidelines’, frontman Billy Gregory paused to teach the crowd the chorus - something of a tradition at Crystal Tides shows, dating back to live performances before its release. After leading the first half of the call-and-response line, Gregory was met with a roar of voices from the packed room that finished the line for him. The sheer volume seemed to leave him visibly overwhelmed, a grin spreading across his face as he took in the moment before spurring the crowd to sing even louder. But this wasn’t the only time the audience made themselves heard - during ‘Last Time’, ‘Give It All’, ‘Courtney Love’ and ‘Headcase’, their voices rose so loudly during the choruses that they nearly drowned out the band entirely. Each time, Gregory instinctively stepped back from the microphone, letting the crowd carry the moment.

Before performing the title track, ‘Toothpaste’, Gregory took a moment to tell the crowd about the inspiration behind it. Opening up about his recent surgery and the challenges he faced in the following months, he described feelings of uncertainty and simply “wishing for some better days”. It was a brief but powerful moment of connection - the room fell into a rare silence as he spoke, listening closely before responding with a wave of supportive cheers and applause as the band launched into one of the album’s most personal songs. 

Nearing the end of the night, Gregory paused to address the crowd: “We’ve been trying to work out if encores are still cool - are encores still cool?”, and when it was met with cheers and applause, added “Okay, this is our last song,” before kicking off a heartfelt performance of ‘The Middle’. As the instruments faded out and the band left the stage, the audience refused to let the moment end, and continued to repeat the four notes of the song’s backing vocals, slowly building in both volume and tempo as anticipation filled the room. Within moments, the five-piece returned to the stage to deliver a final burst of energy with ‘One Night In Paris’, ‘Headcase’ and ‘Honey’.

By the time the final chorus rang out, Electric Ballroom was a sea of singing, dancing fans, with Gregory jumping into the crowd to share the moment with them. It was a fitting end to a night that celebrated not only the band’s debut album, but the journey that brought them here, proving that Crystal Tides aren’t just on the rise, they really are “taking over”.