‘Boys These Days’ are as idiosyncratic as ever: Sports Team at Birmingham’s O2 Institute

O2 Institute, Birmingham, 7 November 2025

Touring to celebrate the release of Boys These Days, Sports Team brought their brand of guitar-based fun to the O2 Institute. When first introduced to the band, I had misplaced them, believing them to be from across the pond. This is an understandable mistake, given their stated ambition to ‘capture the energy’ of American bands. However, the themes of their songs – including the hit ‘M5’ – make their Britishness abundantly clear. 

Boys These Days was written in Bergen, and one may have imagined that time spent in and amongst the beauty of Norwegian fjords led to an introspective album.  This is partially true, as there are twinges of country music and the tempo of many tracks is toned down in comparison to previous efforts. However, the record is still packed with the outgoingness, irreverence, and let-down-your-hair fun that has garnered the outfit a loyal following.  

The band have occasionally been compared to Britpop giants Pulp, and although their execution is heavier and peppier than their Sheffield counterparts, they similarly shine a light on mundanity and celebrate many aspects of quotidian life. However, they do direct their ire at other parts of modern life – a whole song is devoted to the ‘rubbishness’ of planned obsolescence and at those whose “cars shine nicely that deep mortician’s black” (‘Sensible’, Sports Team). 

The unique energy around Sports Team is very much mutually constituted of a band delighted by the passion of the crowd and an audience in thrall at the music on offer

The unique energy around Sports Team is very much mutually constituted of a band delighted by the passion of the crowd and an audience in thrall at the music on offer. Many of their songs employ an ironic tone and see the lead singer take on imagined roles. The titular track of their new album laments that “Boys these days look like girls these days” and jokingly claims “We didn’t even have doors in my day” (‘Boys These Days’, Sports Team).  

Their willingness to poke fun extended to themselves, as lead singer Alex Rice quickly informed the audience that the keyboard player Ben Mack was suffering from heartbreak as a result of being ghosted on Hinge (happens to the best of us). Mack does tend to exude stage cool at the band’s gigs, but on this occasion his aura was particularly impenetrable, his entire face wrapped up in a scarf and sunglasses completely masking his expression. For those struggling to imagine this, think the French police officers in Madagascar 3 when in hospital. 

Rice let the audience know that Sports Team gigs are “usually quite lively”. This is up there with “the U1 is occasionally late” in the pantheon of understatements. For all the slight change in ‘vibe’ the new record heralded, their fanbase weren’t going to miss the chance to partake in a mosh pit. In fact, such behaviour was actively encouraged by the band.  

Those insufficiently entertained by the musical offering (which can’t have been many in the crowd) were treated to an attempt to build a human pyramid, along with lead guitarist Henry Young’s crowd surfing debut. Meanwhile, Rice was an encyclopaedia of quirkiness throughout the night, and he would at times disappear from stage entirely. When he was present, his facial expression could most aptly be described as disengaged from the roaring sounds his mouth was producing.  

At times, the intelligibility of the songs was at a premium, which is a shame for a band who pride themselves on their lyricism

My earlier confusions about the origin of the band were compounded when they broke into a hearty cover of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. However, this was yet another tongue-in-cheek moment from a band which seems to thrive on them. At times, the intelligibility of the songs was at a premium, which is a shame for a band who pride themselves on their lyricism. But we were clearly dealing with a knowledgeable crowd, who enthusiastically participated in many of the choruses. 

Recently released single ‘Medium Machine’ is also emblematic of the band’s approach to their emerging fame – it features the lyrics “I don’t care if you love me” (‘Medium Machine’, Sports Team), which sums up their belief that they will get to the top their way. The song ‘Sensible’ from the new album also reflects their ‘modus operandi’ by decrying those who “are all just so sensible” (‘Sensible’, Sports Team). Sports Team are perhaps not for the musical purists who wish to see music stripped down to its bare bones. This was a spectacle; human pyramid, crowd surfing, dance circle, and all. Maybe they should add health and safety regulations to their earlier list of bugbears. 

The concert seemed to be on the briefer side, giving the feeling of a short catch up with your crazy mate who always has a story or two up his sleeve. However, the band saved the day with a three-song encore that featured their breakout hit ‘Here’s The Thing’, a perfect ending to a night celebrating all things silly. Just like a real sports team, their every play does not go right, but when it all clicks, they have an adulating crowd cheering on their every move. 

★★★★