Brown Horse – 30 June 2026 (Sala Upload – Barcelona)

In just three years, Brown Horse has gone from being one of many bands emerging from the Norwich music scene to becoming one of the most exciting names in British country rock. Their rise has been both rapid and steady. Following the release of the EP Willow (2023), the band released three albums in quick succession: Reservoir (2024), All the Right Weaknesses (2025) and Total Dive (2026). They were joined by an equally intense live programme. During this period, they have toured extensively across the UK’s club circuit, performed at renowned festivals such as End of the Road and Deer Shed, and this year, they have also embarked on their inaugural North American tour.

Brown Horse, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

The band members are Patrick Turner (vocals, guitar and violin), Nyle Holihan (guitar, banjo and mandolin), Emma Tovell (bass, lap steel, pedal steel and banjo), Rowan Braham (organ, piano and accordion), and George Wheeler (drums). One of the band’s defining features is that all four members write songs. This approach has resulted in a diverse repertoire across their albums without compromising their identity. This is also evident during live performances, where Turner typically introduces each track by mentioning its writer.

Brown Horse is part of a generation that has carved out a niche for itself within the current American music scene. Rather than simply replicating the genre’s classic conventions, they share a style of songwriting with artists on both sides of the Atlantic who are revitalising that scene. In the United States, artists such as MJ Lenderman and Waxahatchee have increased their popularity by combining indie rock with their country roots. In the UK, Brown Horse is part of an increasingly visible, albeit still small, scene, alongside bands such as The Heavy Heavy. These bands have shown that this style can be developed from a British perspective, rather than simply imitating the American model.

Patrick Turner from Brown Horse, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

Their first gig at the Upload venue in Barcelona is part of their Total Dive tour, which is intended to promote what is arguably the band’s strongest album to date. However, the set list was not limited to songs from the new album. Brown Horse took the audience on a journey through their entire back catalogue, alternating new material with songs that have become regular features of their live shows.

They made a somewhat subdued start. ‘Corduroy Crunch‘ and ‘Hares‘ helped to establish the band, although it took a while for the concert to really get going, everything sounded great. While everything sounded tight and well performed, it felt as though the band were still finding their feet on stage. The performance only really came into its own once the set list had progressed and the songs started to flow together more naturally.

Brown Horse, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

‘Dog Rose‘, ‘Reservoir‘ and ‘Stealing Horses‘ have signalled this change. Brown Horse don’t need to alter their compositions much to make them work live. The songs retain the same balance as in the studio, and the band avoids unnecessarily dragging them out or turning them into show-off pieces. They clearly have confidence in the material they have written, and this ultimately works in their favour.

The tracks on Total Dive blended seamlessly with those on previous albums. “Comeback Loading“, “Sorrow Reigns” and “Wreck” confirmed the evolution already evident on the album. These songs featured more compact compositions and a greater prominence of the guitars. However, they retained that penchant for intricate melodies and arrangements that set Brown Horse apart in a highly competitive field. The band continues to draw inspiration from American music, but with a distinctly British perspective – a theme that was hinted at in Reservoir and is now much clearer.

Patrick Turner from Brown Horse, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

It’s easy to see how the roles are divided within the band on stage. While Patrick Turner acts as the main spokesperson between songs, Nyle Holihan switches between the guitar, banjo and mandolin. Emma Tovell plays the bass alongside the lap and pedal steel guitars, which play a key role in the sound of Brown Horse. Rowan Braham completes the line-up with the organ, piano and accordion, while George Wheeler provides measured, understated drumming, avoiding any excess or showiness.

If one thing stood out throughout the evening, it was Patrick Turner’s attitude. Beyond his performances and comments to the audience, he looked genuinely happy to be there. After every song, he would break into a broad, spontaneous smile – as though he were still surprised – savouring the fact that he was able to play in front of a packed venue. Although it was a simple gesture, it ended up being one of the most enjoyable moments of the concert, and it reinforced the sense of closeness that the band conveys.

The final section, featuring ‘Watching Something Burn Up‘, ‘Twisters‘ and ‘Outtakes‘, further reinforced the sense of gradual growth. The concert did not seek to create big, dramatic moments or particularly spectacular highlights. The performance unfolded in a fairly straightforward manner, with the focus solely on the songs and the band. While a slightly more energetic start might have been beneficial, the performance gradually found its rhythm and ended on a high note.

Patrick Turner from Brown Horse, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

Brown Horse still possess a quality that is rare among bands that are beginning to attract increasing attention. Despite receiving acclaim for their three albums and performing at major UK festivals, they remain honest and down-to-earth. They left precisely that impression: that of a band continuing to grow without rushing things; a band with complete confidence in its songs; a band enjoying both the journey and the destination it is gradually reaching.