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Civic Green headlining - Photo taken by Luke Lewis
Civic Green Bring the Anthems to Le Pub as The Moonstones Impress
Barnsley indie outfit Civic Green have been steadily building a reputation since the release of their debut EP, Sailing The River, in 2022. Following the arrival of their second EP, This Too Shall Pass, in May 2026, the band returned to Newport’s Le Pub for the opening date of their latest tour, revisiting a venue they last played in 2024.
Providing support were The Moonstones, the South Wales indie trio who recently joined us on The Indie Show on Newport City Radio, with lead singer Nathan chatting ahead of the gig. It was a night celebrating the strength of the grassroots indie scene, with both bands delivering performances that demonstrated why they deserve to be attracting wider attention.
The Moonstones Set the Tone
The Moonstones wasted little time getting things underway, opening with their debut single, Calls It A Day, before delivering a strong set showcasing their growing catalogue. Recent single Merlot featured alongside previous release Stranger, before the band brought their performance to a close with Honey, a firm staple of their live set and a fitting finale.
Having seen The Moonstones more recently performing as a three-piece, it was particularly interesting to hear how the addition of Zak on bass has developed their live sound. The extra weight and depth provided by the bass allows Nathan to return to guitar and vocals, adding another dimension to the band’s overall performance. Behind the kit, Charlie provides a solid rhythmic foundation, giving the songs the drive and consistency needed to bring their indie sound to life.
It was an assured performance from a band continuing to develop their identity on the South Wales live circuit, setting the stage nicely for the night’s headliners.
Civic Green Deliver the Anthems
Civic Green arrived to a warm reception from the Le Pub audience, and it wasn’t long before the crowd made their appreciation felt. Opening with A Million Pieces, the first release from their debut EP, Sailing The River, the band immediately had the audience singing along, setting the tone for a set packed with infectious melodies and anthemic indie songwriting.
Two tracks from the recent EP, This Too Shall Pass, followed in the shape of Burden and Seasons, before the band reached back to their earlier material with City Streets. Time and Cruel To Be Kind, both from the latest EP, continued to demonstrate the strength of their expanding catalogue, with the set moving seamlessly between familiar favourites and newer material.
There was also a glimpse of what might lie ahead, as the band introduced The Path, a new song they announced they would be recording soon. It suggested a different direction for their sound, offering an intriguing indication that Civic Green are prepared to explore new territory without losing sight of what makes them such an engaging live act.
For me, however, one of the night’s standout moments came with Surrender, one of the highlights of Sailing The River. The addition of an outro featuring Babybird’s You’re Gorgeous gave the song an extra flourish, providing a memorable twist on an already impressive track.
The closing stretch was equally compelling. Better The Devil You Know helped maintain the momentum before My Love My Town brought a particularly personal touch to the set. An ode to Barnsley F.C., the song offered a glimpse of the hometown pride running through the band’s music. They then closed with a cover of Twist and Shout, sending the evening out on a high.
A Band Deserving of a Bigger Stage
What stood out throughout Civic Green’s performance was just how tight the band sounded. The songs were delivered with confidence and conviction, creating plenty of opportunities for audience participation while showcasing the strength of their songwriting. Those big choruses and singalong moments came naturally, rather than feeling forced, and the band demonstrated an impressive ability to connect with the room.
There is a real consistency to Civic Green’s material, from the early releases that first established their identity to the newer songs pointing towards their future. The introduction of The Path was particularly encouraging, suggesting a willingness to evolve while retaining the anthemic qualities that make their existing catalogue so effective on stage.
With two EPs behind them, a growing collection of memorable songs and a live performance that demonstrated their chemistry and musical confidence, Civic Green have plenty to offer. This was a brilliant set from a band who know exactly how to deliver their material live, balancing melody, energy and crowd-pleasing choruses with ease.
The quality of these songs deserves to be heard by a much larger audience. Civic Green are one of the best bands on the circuit, and if performances like this are anything to go by, they have every reason to keep aiming higher. Hopefully, a return to Le Pub will be just one more step on the road to the wider recognition their music deserves.
Find out more about The Moonstones
Find out more about Civic Green
Written by Stephen Howell
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