With Modern Color in tow, Citizen deliver a night of heart, grit and relentless energy in Bristol, as Mat Kerekes proves himself an absolute force of nature…
Words & photos by James Crisp (@james_taking_pictures) | Nov 03, 2026
It literally took one step outside to realise that wearing shorts to a late-October gig was a terrible idea. Apparently, my brain was still somewhere in festival season, but we won’t be talking about the weather again; my God, it was absolutely freezing and made me question my wardrobe choices, so I headed into the Prospect Building for Modern Color and headliners Citizen. Thankfully, the evening gave me plenty to think about beyond the temperature of my beautiful pins.
Modern Color made a fitting start; if you know them, then you know this already. Their hazy, shoegazey melodies and abrasive guitars complementing the headliners while delivering their own grungy character to the bill. Something about their music is clearly so very inviting, even at its roughest. Those drifting guitar passages draw you in, only for a heavier section to arrive and remind you that getting too comfortable would be a big ol’ mistake.
That balance gives their songs much of their appeal and, of course, the clear emotion. The distortion has a tight bite, but strong melodies sit underneath it all, with the bass and drums providing direction when the guitars threaten to disappear into the thick atmosphere. Weight shifts keep things interesting, allowing softer passages room to stretch out before the next surge comes through.
Their heaviness comes as much from feeling as sheer volume. Those jagged edges give the melodic moments something to push against, keeping them an engaging match for Citizen. They had enough common ground to feel natural, with enough individuality to ensure Modern Colour held their own in a growing genre.
By the time Citizen took over, the Prospect Building was ready to make itself heard and Jesus!! They did. I’ve been to many, many, many gigs, shows, concerts, functions whatever you want to call them over the years, and this crowd had to be one of the loudest I’ve experienced, on par with Turnover. Plenty of audiences have given a vocalist a run for their dosh, but this was a whole different thing.
These people weren’t simply singing the words back. They were pouring their hearts out at an absolutely ridiculous volume, delivering every line with an absolute, pure conviction you could literally feel throughout the packed-out room. At times, I found myself paying as much attention to the voices around me as the band in front of me. Hearing that much emotion from an audience really never gets old.
The setlist gave us plenty to get stuck into too, with The Summer and Always the Last One to Leave among the songs delivered across the evening. For me, though, the inclusion of How Does It Feel was a particular highlight. It’s my personal favourite Citizen song, and hearing it in a room with that much feeling behind every word made it all the more special.
The whole band truly threw themselves into the performance, giving their emotionally charged music a physical urgency. The response from the floor seemed to push them further and further, creating an exchange which made the room feel increasingly connected.
Vocalist Mat Kerekes was particularly impressive, somehow using every inch of the stage, whilst swinging the mic stand around as if it were a weapon, all whilst still sounding like an utter powerhouse. Just watching him was enough to leave you slightly out of breath. His vocal delivery kept its strength and grit through all that movement, without sacrificing the vulnerability that makes it so compelling.
Behind him, the guitars balanced atmosphere with a sharper edge, while the rhythm section gave everything a big, fat driving foundation.
Citizen’s music has plenty of room for reflection, but also a rhythmic pull that keeps it from becoming too inward-looking. That combination worked beautifully with an audience this invested with every note and lyric.
What stayed with me though, wasn’t just the flawless show, but the feeling of everyone putting something into the evening. Citizen gave their energy and emotion, and Bristol returned both in extraordinary volume.
You can attend countless shows and still be caught off right off guard by the sound of a room singing together. This was one of those exact nights.
Modern Color provided a hella strong lead-in, while Citizen delivered with heart, relentless movement, emotion, a frontman whose voice remained formidable throughout and a band that were as tight as me with money. Add a crowd that sounded ready to sing until their throats bled.
Next time, though, I’m wearing trousers.
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