Where – Trillians, Newcastle
Support – Dixie Dix
Support – The Outlaw Orchestra (separate review)
Date 24th April 25
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
I’m back at Trillians Bar in Newcastle on a Thursday night to see the amazing Gypsy Pistoleros as they tour the UK. With an album to be released at the end of this week on the 2nd of May called ‘Welcome to the Church of The Pistoleros’ it was sure to be a great night of new music.
First up was Dixie Dix with just her voice and an acoustic guitar, the singer-songwriter from Bournemouth brought a quiet power to the Newcastle crowd. Her self-penned songs were beautifully crafted; each one delivered with a voice rich in tone and character. She moved effortlessly from delicate, introspective melodies in songs such as ‘Perfect Girl’ and ‘Surviving Not Living’ to the raw ‘F*cked Up 21st Century Teen,’ with its punk-tinged rhythms. How she managed to find time to take a breath through that song with all its layers I really don’t know, but it was definitely a show of her talent.
Covering a wide emotional range and holding everyone in the room with her presence, she was very hypnotic to watch.
Taking nothing away from her original work, a great moment was her bold and brilliant cover of Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz, which she twisted into something personal and unexpected, rapping with a style that brought to mind the raw storytelling and feel of Ren.
Honest, heartfelt, and quietly captivating, she left us wanting more, especially as she was giving us glimpses into her life through her lyrics and stage banter. Her last song was dedicated to Pip from The Pistoleros and was a beautiful melodic song called ’One Day.’ Dixie is a compelling artist with stories worth hearing so check her out on her socials.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068939030103
https://www.instagram.com/pixiedixie99
I last saw The Gypsy Pistoleros at AOR Hard Rock Hell where they won my award for the least AOR band in the place, and that view hasn’t change. They are in fact a great glam-punk rock band with their own fabulous unique sound, and that’s what I love about them.
Gypsy Lee Pistolero – Vocals
Kerry Pistolero White – Bass/Backing Vocals
Shane Pistoler Sparkz – Guitar/Backing Vocals
Pip Sampson – Drums
When a band takes the stage with their faces painted ghostly white and bold black bands slashed across their eyes, you know you’re in for something special. From the moment they stepped into the spotlight, this glam punk powerhouse had one mission, to entertain, and they did that in bucket loads.
Every song was a burst of raw, unapologetic rock energy, delivered with a commitment to having as much fun as humanly possible. They didn’t just play music; they lived it right there in front of us, pulling the crowd along for the ride with infectious grins and quick-fire banter. The connection they built with the audience was instant and with some die-hard fans in, it turned a regular gig into something that felt more like a rowdy gathering of old friends.
Describing their cover of Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ as a “death metal version,” what we got instead was a ridiculously fun, bouncy punk-glam reimagining of the pop classic. It was a perfect example of their mischievous charm, they’re not here to take themselves too seriously, they’re here to have fun and enjoy what they do and that’s exactly why they’re so easy to love.
Throughout the night, they gave us a taste of what’s to come from their forthcoming album, songs such as ‘The Church of the Pistoleros,’ ‘Last Train To Nowhere,’ and ‘Shadow Walker’ are all cracking songs that are going to make the album an absolute stonker. Every new track had that signature mix of glam swagger and punk chaos, each, and everyone catchy and memorable with its mix of vocals and music.
One of the night’s funny moments, of which there was plenty, came when they introduced their single using what they called the ‘Sword of Truth,’ which was actually a Spider-Man laser gun. It was another perfect example of their playful spirit, launching into their new single with a sense of humour that had the whole room laughing. ‘I’m In Love With Myself’ is brilliant, it’s another upbeat song showcasing why they are a great live band. Its fast-paced, loud, and completely irresistible, it’s everything you could want in an anthem from the band that wears their influences (and their warpaint) proudly.
Ending the night in true Pistoleros fashion, they couldn’t be bothered with the usual gig theatrics of walking off stage for an encore. Instead, they stayed put and simply told us to cheer loud if we wanted more, and cheer we did. No pretences, no games, just pure, honest rock ‘n’ roll fun.
For the encore they didn’t choose one of their own songs, instead they decided on finishing with that party feel and opted for none other than ‘Come on Eileen’ by Dexys Midnight Runners. Every time I hear that song, I’ll hear The Gypsy Pistoleros rendition and the loud singalong that it created amongst the crowd. By the time the final notes rang out and the lights came up, nobody wanted to leave. There was a real sense of community in that room, fueled by a band that clearly loves what they do and loves their fans.
I’d happily do it all over again next week, and every week after that. This band isn’t just about music; they’re about creating a full-blown, wild, unforgettable experience. Glam punk is alive and well, and after a night like this, it’s impossible not to leave the venue with a skip in your step and be completely hooked on The Gypsy Pistoleros.
Lucky for you they are on tour and if you’ve not seen them do yourself a favour and catch a gig.
Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros – U.K. Tour 2025
1st May – The Waterloo, Blackpool
2nd May – The Marrs Bar, Worcester (Hometown Album Release Party)
3rd May – The Junction, Plymouth
4th May – Electric Banana, Weston Super Mare
6th May Special Facebook Live Stream (Acoustic plus Q & A)
9th May – Melbourn Rock Club, Cambridge
10th May – The Black Heart, London
16th May – The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham
17th May – The Underground, Bradford
7th – 10th August 2025 – Rebellion Festival, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Find out where to get tickets on their website
Video
Last Train to Nowhere
https://www.facebook.com/GPistoleros
https://www.instagram.com/gypsypistoleros?igsh=Y2hwbDdhdGZwNmho
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