Live Review: SPRINTS at The Troxy, London 14/11/25

Late to the party as always, I’ve only recently discovered Dublin-based band SPRINTS. I first saw their name pop up on one of Joyzine’s album review lists and decided to give them a listen and within seconds, I was thinking, “A band with a female singer that sounds this full of attitude? How do I not already know them?”

Not long after, I saw there was a chance to catch them live at The Troxy, and having read glowing things about their live shows, I eagerly put myself forward to review. I can safely say: I have zero regrets.

Two indie-disco-style support bands later, SPRINTS took to the stage. Singer Karla Chubb appeared last, dressed in all black and full of punk poise, looking like a cool gothic fairy commanding her kingdom. They set the bar high straight away, blasting into the appropriately titled opener “Something’s Gonna Happen,” followed by the epic “Descartes.” The room was already electrified.

It took a few songs before Karla started interacting with the audience, but once she did, wow. The entire space came alive. Fun and chaos were both fully encouraged, and it was clear the band were having just as much of a blast as the crowd. Midway through the set, Karla dived into the audience after calling for a circle pit, her energy was feral, fearless, and completely magnetic.

By the time they reached “Rage” (with its chant-worthy refrain, “and it’s rage, rage, rage, all he knows is rage, rage, rage”), the crowd had reached fever pitch. A continuous stream of crowdsurfers kept the security guards on their toes, and the atmosphere was euphoric, a perfect mix of dancing, moshing, and communal release.

And then came the finale. During the last song, Karla once again launched herself into the crowd, this time crowdsurfing across the venue. When security managed to lift her out, she simply laughed, yelled “To the bar!” and dived straight back in, disappearing triumphantly into a sea of hands. Pure punk theatre.

Beyond the chaos and catharsis, what stood out most was SPRINTS’ sincerity. Between songs, Karla spoke passionately about the state of the world, urging the crowd not to turn away from injustice, but to also hold tight to the good things that remain: music and community. Before the final track, she left the audience with two powerful messages: stand up for trans youth and Free Palestine. Both were met with loud cheers and fists in the air.

For me, this gig was easily the best of the year so far — a perfect storm of energy, emotion, drama, and defiance. SPRINTS don’t just perform; they ignite something raw and collective. It’s punk at its most alive.

Setlist:
Something’s Gonna Happen
Descartes
Cathedral
Adore Adore Adore
Feast
Rage
Better
Coming Alive
Literary Mind
How Does the Story Go?
Abandon
To The Bone
Beg
Heavy
Pieces
Up and Comer
Need
Desire
Little Fix