Some nights go beyond just the music and transport you into another world. They become etched in your memory as life-changing events. Well, the two nights I saw The Virginmarys on their Beyond the House of Fire tour were exactly that.
I have to admit I’ve been a big Virginmarys fan ever since first seeing them in 2016, opening the main stage at Leeds Festival, and again in early 2017 when they supported Rival Sons in Liverpool. Bad deals and legal fallout eventually saw them go independent while also reducing the band to a two-piece, leaving Ally Dickaty and Danny Dolan to go it alone.
Fast forward to 2026 and this tour. I haven’t stopped playing The House Beyond the Fires since it was released in 2024—it’s become one of my go-to albums. I’ve seen the band perform these songs live several times, so when another opportunity came around to hear them tear through the album again, I bought tickets to two shows: one in Leeds at Hyde Park Book Club and the other at the intimate Barnoldswick Arts Centre.
When I arrived at the Leeds show, I immediately noticed a keyboard alongside the usual two-piece setup. I assumed maybe Ally would be playing a few keyboard parts. But when Ally and Danny walked on stage, with Ally taking his place behind the keyboard and an unfamiliar guitarist (to me, anyway), Gareth Price, joining them, I was genuinely taken aback. I think I was probably the only person in the room who didn’t know what this tour was all about.
This wasn’t another full-volume rock show. It was a stripped-back evening inspired by the intimacy of the iconic ’90s MTV Unplugged performances. The band were also touring their new album, Beyond the House of Fire, released in May 2026—a bold and atmospheric reinterpretation of their acclaimed 2024 album.
Where had I been? How had I completely missed this? The Rockpit had even announced it back on 4 March 2026.
As Ally walked on stage and joked, “We’ll try not to fuck it up,” there was already a sense that this was going to be a special evening. What followed was less a rock show and more an emotional journey, delivered with honesty, intensity and a band operating at the very top of their game.
Early highlights such as “There Ain’t No Future” and “Lies, Lies, Lies” showcased the band’s musical depth, with smouldering guitar work and a slow-burning power that had the audience hanging on every note. During Ally’s solo performances of “Moths to a Flame”, “Sleep” and “Cast the First Stone”, the room fell completely silent as his songs and storytelling took centre stage.
With Danny and Gareth returning to continue the performance, the remainder of the album unfolded beautifully. “Urban Seagull”, “You’re a Killer” and “When the Lights Go Down” demonstrated exactly why Ally remains one of the most compelling songwriters on the scene, effortlessly blending rock, punk and raw emotion. Another solo interlude from Ally featured a stunning Leonard Cohen cover, while the deeply heartfelt “Passing Place”, written about his nanna, provided another unforgettable moment.
The show closed with “Where Are You Now?”, “Veteran Soldiers” and a powerful rendition of “White Knuckle Riding” that left the crowd wanting more, despite Ally joking beforehand, “There’ll be no encore—that’s your lot.” Anyone expecting a straightforward Virginmarys concert got far more than that. This was a moving, uplifting and deeply human performance that exceeded expectations from start to finish.
It wasn’t just Ally who shone. Danny’s normally manic drumming was replaced with beautifully restrained, delicate percussion that perfectly complemented every song. Gareth Price’s cool, understated guitar textures sat effortlessly within the arrangements, adding another emotional layer to the evening. For me, there were shades of Steve Hillage in both his tone and approach.
So, what were those two nights of live music like? Majestic, beautiful, emotional, magnificent—every superlative I can think of still doesn’t quite do them justice. Ally admitted he was amazed by how well this tour had been received and confessed that he was “fucking shitting it” before it started. Well, I’d say it went more than okay, Ally.
Without question, this is my gig of the year so far. Yes, there have been bigger shows, louder shows and longer shows, but not one that connected with me in quite the same way. This was something genuinely special. Whether they’re kicking arse with their trademark attitude-fuelled rock or stripping everything back to expose the passion, vulnerability and emotion within the songs, The Virginmarys remain one of the finest live bands around. Perfection, indeed.
A special mention must also go to the support act in Leeds, Bristol’s IDestroy, who quickly won over the audience with their alternative grunge-rock sound. Tonight’s stripped-back lineup featured just Bec on guitar and Nic on bass. Normally a three-piece, they admitted this was something very different from their usual show, but it worked brilliantly. Songs such as “My Friends Are Plastic” and “Headphones” were particular highlights and left me wanting to experience the band in their full electric trio format.
With special thanks to Claire at Central Press PR for the media accreditation.
Photos by David Pickles