Borderline in Sheffield, UK: Gig Review
Diya Mehta | August 2026
Fresh off the release of their self-titled debut album, the New Zealand band Borderline brought their blend of alternative pop and rock to Sheffield's Hallamshire Hotel on the 8 August, as part of their 2026 UK album tour.
The Auckland-based band consists of lifelong friends Ben Glanfield, Jackson Boswell, Matthew McFadden, and Max Harries. They gained popularity through their energetic sound, especially from tracks like “Terrify”, “Skyline” and “When It's Raining”, which showcase their ability to move between grooves.
The Sheffield date was their second stop as part of a seven-date UK run following the release of their debut album, giving the band a chance to share their music on the opposite side of the world.
The night began with two opening acts, Bexy and Milly Pye, who each brought their own personalities and music to the lineup.
Bexy
Bexy was the first artist on stage, and the first thing I noticed was her distinctive flair, which made her stand out immediately. Her music has a personality of its own that is unique and she’s very much doing alternative pop music right.
Seeing her perform live gave a lot of the songs more depth, especially her latest release, “Love me like you lost me.” Her set was the perfect way to start the evening as she brought her own style and voice into the space.
Milly Pye
Singer-songwriter Milly Pye, who performed next, had a distinctly playful vibe. The most striking thing was how much fun she and her band appeared to be having while performing. There were several songs that I particularly enjoyed, and her set was a great transition from Bexy into the high-energy performance we got from Borderline later that evening.
Borderline
The band took over the stage at about 9:30 pm and immediately pulled the crowd in with their setlist opener “Terrify”. This was the perfect way to begin their set for the night as they transitioned into “Skyline,” with its groovy guitar leading the audience to get captivated.
Borderline demonstrated how well their music translates to a live setting as the set went on. In fact, Borderline was much better live than I originally thought, fully exceeding my expectations. Their studio recordings already have plenty of energy, but seeing the band perform in person made it clear just how much each aspect of their sound works in absolute harmony live.
The guitar riffs were one of the biggest highlights of the night. Matthew McFadden's playing was genuinely insane at points, particularly during “Breakdown,” which quickly became one of my favourite moments of the entire set. Playing this song early during the show immediately contributed to the audience’s mood, as I noticed people started to move along to the beat.
Another noteworthy part of the gig was the drums. Jackson Boswell was given the opportunity to perform a drum solo at one point, and he captured everyone’s full attention for that minute. Such moments demonstrated that this band wasn't simply performing their recorded songs live, and rather, they were showcasing their abilities as musicians.
Most of Borderline's set leaned heavily into their energetic sound, making their songs incredibly easy to dance to. There were only around two slower moments throughout the hour-long set, but they were placed perfectly. Rather than feeling like they interrupted the momentum, they gave the audience a chance to breathe before the band kicked the energy back up again.
And dance we all did. Ben Glanfield, the lead singer, encouraged everyone to move, and from the front of the room, my friends and I happily took that as our cue. We danced around and had a great time for most of the set. Seeing a band at a smaller venue where you can be in the front is really enjoyable, and Borderline made the space feel much livelier than its size may have indicated.
Borderline closed their hour-long set with “When It's Raining,” their most popular track. It was an obvious choice for a finale and gave the night the big closing moment it deserved.
Walking out of the venue, my first thought was simple: I need Borderline to come back to America, and I would love to catch them in my hometown. Their Sheffield gig served as enough evidence that their music is best enjoyed when you’re surrounded by other people who aren’t afraid to dance with you and have a good time.
Borderline already knows how to put on a show, which is impressive for a band who just put out their first album. Now all I need is for them to bring that show back across the Atlantic… and from what I’ve heard, that might be happening sometime next year. So, stay tuned!
Follow Borderline here!
Follow Bexy here!
Follow Milly Pye here!
