Westside Cowboy | Tolhuistuin | Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 29th, 2026
Photographed by Rosalie Martens
Imagine standing in a sold-out room, watching a band that you know has a very promising future ahead of them. They have already captured the attention of a growing audience, with another sold-out headline show at Paradiso just around the corner. But in that moment, you can still experience them up close, surrounded by people who are just as spellbound by their music as you are.
For the fans of Westside Cowboy in Tolhuistuin on a Thursday evening, this was a chance to be part of that moment. As “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes played through the speakers, anticipation filled the venue. When the four members took the stage, the atmosphere shifted to excitement. Aoife O’Connell stood at the centre with her bass, joined by Jimmy Bradbury and Reuben Haycocks on guitar, and Paddy Murphy behind the drums. While O’Connell took the centre of the stage, Westside Cowboy never felt like a band built around a single frontperson. Each member had their own moment to shine, whether that was through an instrumental passage or a turn on the vocals. All four voices were woven into the set, with harmonies that made the songs feel resonant.
The set moved between upbeat songs that immediately got the crowd moving and slower moments that gave the audience room to appreciate the band’s voices. “Shells” began at a gentler pace, allowing the harmonies to settle over the room. From the back, people could be seen swaying and tapping their feet, taking in the moment. The song picked up halfway through, which brought the energy back up.
“Pin Up Boys” was one of the evening’s most beautiful moments. Bright, flickering lights added intensity to the performance, while the band drew the audience further into the song. O’Connell ended with a continuous run of high notes, and the crowd joined in, singing along before giving the band a loud round of applause. It was a moment that captured the spellbinding quality of their live performance. The blend of powerful vocals and an audience completely caught up in the music that all shared the same feeling.
The energy shifted again with “The Wahs,” which immediately brought out the more playful side of the band. The members jumped around together, smiling throughout, while the crowd answered with loud cheers. Behind the drums, Murphy visibly gave everything he had, clearly enjoying every second of being on stage. It was infectious to watch, and the audience seemed more than happy to match the band’s energy.
What made Westside Cowboy’s performance so compelling was the way all four members contributed to it. Their voices came together in beautiful harmonies, and they all brought their own personality and presence to the stage. It was a performance that felt full of life, with the band sharing the spotlight rather than relying on one member to carry the show. The crowd’s response showed that the connection went both ways.
With Tolhuistuin sold out and another sold-out headline show at Paradiso in the planning, Westside Cowboy are clearly reaching an exciting point in their career. There is a real sense of promise around the band, and seeing them in a room like this feels particularly special when bigger stages are already within reach. Westside Cowboy showed exactly why there is so much excitement around them.
Get tickets to see Westside Cowboy on tour here.
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