The Boxer Rebellion

Led by Nathan Nicholson on vocals/guitar, The Boxer Rebellion has released a total of four albums, two EPs, and has been featured on a plethora of television shows. Since 2011, the independent alt-rockers have slid below the radar of mainstream, both good and bad. They are a great band and more people should know about them but the benefit is smaller, more intimate live sets. You also get much more passion behind their music, because you know that they are playing the show because the absolutely love performing. They played at the Constellation Room at the Observatory in Santa Ana California, which meant there were maybe about 100 people in the room. Since the band isn’t “huge” most of the people present were actual fans that sought out their live show. This meant that when the band took the stage after a mediocre opening band, the crowd really responded breaking out into screams and shouts. They opened with “Semi Automatic,” and played an hour-long set. Nathans vocals are slightly haunting and generally reminiscent of Jim Morrison from The Doors. In between songs, the band took time to talk to the audience and have a bit of banter between each other. Their dynamic is really fun to witness as well, and it really comes across that they have been friends for a very long time, and allow you to be a part of it by including you. It’s almost like an intimate hangout session.

I saw The Boxer Rebellion at The Independent in San Francisco October 19, 2016. The opening artist was solo acoustic guitar and vocals. He was on his first tour, and his first performance. He clearly had talent, but needs some polish. The second bad, Hey Anna, was a fun, lively quintet, fronted by three women (two are sisters), and just starting their third US tour.

The Boxer Rebellion were magnificent. They made me feel like I was back in my teens, reveling in four guys creating glorious noise that makes the soul take off. They performed a very healthy mix of old, older, and brand new songs, and really worked hard to entertain the audience. One highlight was when singer Nathan Nicholson and guitarist Andrew Smith jumped off stage with just an acoustic guitar, and sang "Always" unplugged in the middle of the audience. Nicholson again waded into the audience with mic on "No Harm" towards the end of the concert. Smith, Adam Harrison on bass, and Piers Hewitt on drums all played their hearts out. They played almost two hours, the set never flagged, the sound was clean, and the size of the venue made it an intimate concert.

Really great show by a really great band. Go see them if you get the chance.

Indie rock bands come and go, but the Boxer Rebellion is one of those bands who’ll be around for the long run, at least in the film world. If you happened to catch the 2010 film starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, ‘Going the Distance,’ you’ll notice that Nathan Nicholson, Adam Harrison and Piers Hewitt essentially playing themselves and rocking the stage.
While it was cool to see this band, who was unsigned at the time, in a film with Barrymore and Long, it was even better watching them headline their own show at the same place the made the film at -- the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Playing tracks from ‘Union,’ the London band felt at home playing in front of the New York City crowd, and the night’s attendees packed themselves into the large venue and were welcoming them with open arms.
Playing ‘Evacuate,’ ‘Flashing Lights’ and ‘Misplaced,’ they may be a rock band, but there is a bit of tenderness in Nicholson’s voice, which makes you want to keep listening to what they have say in their songs. Since then the band has released, ‘The Cold Still’ and ‘Promises,’ and have continued to bring their sounds to stages around Europe.

When a band sounds even better live than you could have hoped, you've won. The venue is intimate and The Boxer Rebellion played to that. During a killer 16 song set, they connected with us, and even joined us in the audience. With a mix of older and brand new songs, they gave me one of the best concert experiences ever. I drove from Philadelphia to see them and would happily do it again.

Despite Nathan feeling sick they put on a terrific show.

Without exception they are all amazing and their music sublime. Live takes the listening experience to another level as a tight unit displaying individual brilliance moving from ballad to full on rock; breathtaking!

6th album delivers again and thank you TBR for countless hours of listening pleasure!

What can i say, the best concert ive ever been and i got to meet these guys! not only great musicians but the best human beings, very accesible, it was like they player for their family, the played all their greatest hits although i would like to hear semiautomatic and step out of the car, it was just wonderful! Thank you guys, your fan forever!

Excellent gig. I'd only ever seen them once before at an acoustic charity event for Grenfell Towers, so great to see a 'proper' gig. Can't fault it. Victories at Sea supporting were great. Islington Assembly Halls is a decent venue too. Good night out.

Best set list in years. Outstanding performance. Nathan had a cold and still killed it. Unbelievable how hard those guys work. What a great venue. We are seeing these guys 5 times this year, worth it every time!!

The show in Tivoli Vredenburg Utrecht was good, they played some awesome song, including their new single Here I am, beautiful delicate song!! Afterwords bought ther new album. A white vinyl one, my first :-)

Absolutely fantastic concert.
Without the bassist (had to go to hospital with wife), the band still chose to improvise an accustic version and spoiled us with a honest and down to earth performance.