Sugar at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London – 23 May 2026

Review: A Triumphant, Ferocious Return After 31 Years

There are reunions, and then there are events that feel like correcting a historical wrong. Last night at

the sold-out O2 Forum Kentish Town, Sugar — Bob Mould, David Barbe, and Malcolm Travis —

delivered the latter. Thirty-one years after their last proper shows, the alt-rock power trio returned with

the kind of volcanic intensity that made their early ’90s output legendary. This wasn’t a nostalgic

victory lap. It was a full-throttle assault that proved Sugar’s music has aged like fine wine turned into

napalm.

Sugar at O2 Forum Kentish Town

It helped that the setting was perfect. The O2 Forum Kentish Town — formerly the Town & Country

Club, a venue with decades of rock history soaked into its walls — is exactly the kind of room Sugar

deserves. Its tiered layout and old theatre bones create that rare mid-capacity intimacy where even a

sold-out show feels personal. On the hottest day of the year so far, with the temperature inside

climbing to something approaching furnace levels, the slightly worn grandeur of the place only added

to the intensity. A sterile arena would have killed half the magic. The Forum understood what kind of

music was being played in it.

From the moment the house lights dropped and the opening notes of “The Act We Act” ripped

through the venue, it was clear this band had not come to coast on reputation. Mould, now in his

mid-60s, looked lean and focused, his trademark white hair catching the stage lights as he unleashed

those colossal, roaring guitar chords. The rhythm section of Barbe and Travis locked in immediately,

providing the muscular, propulsive foundation that always distinguished Sugar from standard

power-trio fare.

The setlist was a masterclass in pacing and emotional weight.

They tore through almost the entirety of the immortal Copper Blue and File Under: Easy Listening, with several savage cuts from the

Beaster EP thrown in for good measure. Early highlights included a thunderous “A Good Idea,”

“Changes,” and “Company Book,” where Mould’s voice — still remarkably potent and full of gravelly

soul — soared over walls of distortion. The crowd, a healthy mix of grey-haired veterans and younger

converts, sang every word with religious fervour.

One of the biggest surprises of the night came with the two brand-new 2026 singles. “House of Dead

Memories” and “Long Live Love” slotted perfectly into the set without feeling like token modern

additions. Both tracks retain that classic Sugar DNA — huge hooks, crushing dynamics, and Mould’s

signature blend of melody and aggression — while sounding fresh and vital. “House of Dead

Memories,” in particular, received one of the loudest responses of the evening, suggesting these

songs have an immediate future in the live canon.

The band’s chemistry was palpable. Barbe’s bass lines were fat and melodic, while Travis attacked

the drums with the controlled fury of a man who has been waiting decades to do this again. When

they hit the mid-set run of “Your Favorite Thing,” “Clownmaster,” and “Frustration,” the Forum

became a sweat-drenched cathedral of noise. Mould’s guitar tone — that unmistakable blend of

Hüsker Dü aggression and pop sensibility — cut through the mix like a chainsaw wrapped in velvet.Special mention must go to opener J. Robbins (Jawbox / Burning Airlines). His solo set, heavy on

Burning Airlines material, was a clever and respectful warm-up that bridged the gap between

underground ’90s post-hardcore and Sugar’s more anthemic approach. The Kentish Town crowd

showed him genuine appreciation.

As the main set closed with the epic “JC Auto,” the energy in the room was at breaking point. The

three-song encore — “Helpless,” “Gee Angel,” and the glorious “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” —

provided perfect catharsis. By the time Mould struck the final chords of that last song, thousands of

voices were united in the chorus. It was one of those rare gig moments that felt genuinely communal.

What made this show exceptional wasn’t just the quality of the songs (though the back catalogue is

undeniably stacked). It was the sheer conviction. There was zero sense of a band going through the

motions. Sugar played with the hunger of a group half their age and the wisdom of veterans who

understand exactly how precious these moments are.

For those fortunate enough to be at the Forum last night, it will be remembered as one of the great

reunion shows of the decade. For everyone else: tonight (May 24) is the second and final London

date. If you can still get a ticket, cancel whatever plans you have. This is not a show to miss.

In 2026, Sugar didn’t just reform — they reminded everyone why they were one of the most important

rock bands of the 1990s, and why their music still hits with devastating force today.