I can’t imagine there have been many occasions where an emerging indie artist from Hamburg, Germany has taken to the stage in Birkenhead, but on Friday night (22 May) it happened — and it was a show not to miss.
Roller Derby are a dream pop group who take heavy influence from the modern indie scene. Having already sold out shows in London, Manchester and beyond, they brought their first UK tour to a stylish close at Future Yard.
Founded in 2019, Future Yard has quickly become an established venue in Birkenhead, promising to bring the very best live music to an area that had previously been neglected in the arts sector. The state-of-the-art venue boasts a trendy bar serving wood-fired pizzas, alongside an intimate live music space that has become a hub for the local music community.
After a successful start to life as a venue, a £3 million project is now underway to expand the site with a new 600-capacity space, while the venue is also running a £150,000 crowdfunding campaign to support the development.
Immediately upon arriving at Future Yard, its success was obvious. The bustling bar area, packed with local music lovers enjoying drinks and pizzas, was full of anticipation for the night ahead.
To kick off the evening, the Birkenhead crowd was treated to a fun and energetic set from support act Market Place, filled with catchy guitar hooks, soothing harmonies and plenty of synth. The five-piece indie pop group effortlessly set the tone for the rest of the night.
After half an hour of eager waiting, Roller Derby finally took to the stage. Their opening song, ‘Dreams’, featured floaty vocals from lead singer Philine Meyer and textured guitar work from Romero Soria, creating a captivating sense of tension from the outset. Next came ‘Emily’s Dance’, the title track from their 2024 EP. Its jangly guitars carried a nostalgic late-summer feeling, showcasing the unique Roller Derby sound that has quickly earned them attention.
Meyer came across as quite shy in her stage presence, reflecting the introspective nature that shines through in the band’s music. She said very little between songs, often keeping an inward body language. However, this did nothing to compromise the overall quality of the performance. Her voice oozed confidence and emotion, while displaying an impressive vocal range throughout the set.
Next up was fan favourite ‘Can’t See You’, with its anthemic, sparkling guitar riff transforming the Future Yard crowd from a gentle sway into a dancefloor.
The gig was now in full swing, with the band performing songs from their debut album ‘When The Night Comes’, including ‘Last Night’, ‘Lights Out’ and ‘In Spring’. Roller Derby performed with intensity, producing their trademark breezy, dream-like sound. Meyer’s tender, intimate vocals created a feeling of romance and melancholy, making the whole performance feel cinematic.
One of the standout moments of the night was ‘Ready To Forget’, a bittersweet song that looks back through rose-tinted glasses at a past relationship. Soria’s shimmering guitar performance carried the track beautifully, adding depth and emotion to an already powerful song.
The band then launched into their biggest hit to date, ‘Always On My Mind’, generating a party atmosphere inside Future Yard. Meyer’s vocals were wistful yet energetic, while a small dance on stage added extra charm and punch to the rendition.
They closed their triumphant set with a hypnotic, trance-like performance of ‘Silver Jet’, providing an emotional ending to a memorable night. Roller Derby’s appearance will surely go down as one of the standout dates in Future Yard’s growing calendar, with the crowd left wanting more. As the lights came up and the venue slowly emptied, it felt as though everyone had just woken up from a dream.
Discover more gigs coming up at Future Yard via futureyard.org. Find over 100+ arts and culture events via our What’s On listings.
