Westside Cowboy: The Manchester Band Doing It Their Way
By David Weddle | Music News Monthly | 21st May 2026
Before all of the hype, the album deal, before their Glastonbury slot, before the sold out tours, Westside Cowboy were putting on fundraising nights in Manchester to shine a light on local artist and causes they believed in. That is the kind of people they are, and knowing that makes the announcement that their debut album is on its way is exactly the kind of success story that the music world needs right now. Good things happening to good people.
Manchester is renowned for it's vibrant music scene and this band have been at the very heart of it. They built a loyal following and have already had a sold out headline tour in 2025. Now the story continues with the news of the band's forthcoming and highly anticipated debut album 'It Goes On', scheduled for release on the 21st of August via Island Records. In an era of over produced, algorithm chasing releases, it is good to know that Westside Cowboy are doing things their own way, their intention was to make an album for their younger selves and they have stayed true to that ethos.
The new single from the album is out right now, 'Kick Stones (The Boys). Drummer Paddy Murphy notes that the true crux of the song is “as much about how we made it as the lyrics”. Adding to that bassist/vocalist Aoife Anson O’Connell explains, “We loved the way it felt to play, but we thought we couldn’t record it like that or people would think we wanted to be a stadium rock band,”. With that in mind they used a live recording of The Velvet Underground's 'What Goes On' as a reference and if the latest single is anything to go by they certainly seem to have pulled it off. It's a cracking track that captures the feel of that reference point while still feeling right up to date.
The record, which features Loren Humphrey (Geese, Cameron Winter, Wunderhorse) and was recorded at Greenmount Studios in Leeds, also saw the lads collaborating with FC United of Manchester for the official video, a choice that perfectly fits with the band's previous community focused way of thinking.
Westside Cowboy have jam packed touring schedule for this year so there is a good chance they will be visiting a venue near you at some point very soon. Below is a list of their live dates so far. Judging by their reputation for electrifying shows and the single 'Kick Stones (The Boys), I think it is fair to say that they are a band that deserves a place on your 'to see' list for 2026.
FULL UK LIVE SCHEDULE
22.05 - Bearded Theory, Walton-on-Trent
24.05 - Neighbourhood, Warrington
21.06 - TRNSMT, Glasgow
09.07 - Ally Pally Park, London (with The Maccabees)
24.07 - Tramlines, Sheffield
25.07 - Latitude, Beccles
26.07 - Truck, Oxfordshire
21.08 - Green Man, Crickhowell
28.08 - Leeds Festival, Leeds
30.08 - Reading Festival, Reading
24.11 - St Luke's, Glasgow
25.11 - NUSU, Newcastle
26.11 - Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
27.11 - Irish Centre, Leeds
29.11 - XOYO, Birmingham
30.11 - 1865, Southampton
01.12 - Chalk, Brighton
02.12 - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
04.12 - Electric Bristol, Bristol
05.12 - Albert Hall, Manchester
Manchester is renowned for it's vibrant music scene and this band have been at the very heart of it. They built a loyal following and have already had a sold out headline tour in 2025. Now the story continues with the news of the band's forthcoming and highly anticipated debut album 'It Goes On', scheduled for release on the 21st of August via Island Records. In an era of over produced, algorithm chasing releases, it is good to know that Westside Cowboy are doing things their own way, their intention was to make an album for their younger selves and they have stayed true to that ethos.
The new single from the album is out right now, 'Kick Stones (The Boys). Drummer Paddy Murphy notes that the true crux of the song is “as much about how we made it as the lyrics”. Adding to that bassist/vocalist Aoife Anson O’Connell explains, “We loved the way it felt to play, but we thought we couldn’t record it like that or people would think we wanted to be a stadium rock band,”. With that in mind they used a live recording of The Velvet Underground's 'What Goes On' as a reference and if the latest single is anything to go by they certainly seem to have pulled it off. It's a cracking track that captures the feel of that reference point while still feeling right up to date.
The record, which features Loren Humphrey (Geese, Cameron Winter, Wunderhorse) and was recorded at Greenmount Studios in Leeds, also saw the lads collaborating with FC United of Manchester for the official video, a choice that perfectly fits with the band's previous community focused way of thinking.
Westside Cowboy have jam packed touring schedule for this year so there is a good chance they will be visiting a venue near you at some point very soon. Below is a list of their live dates so far. Judging by their reputation for electrifying shows and the single 'Kick Stones (The Boys), I think it is fair to say that they are a band that deserves a place on your 'to see' list for 2026.
FULL UK LIVE SCHEDULE
22.05 - Bearded Theory, Walton-on-Trent
24.05 - Neighbourhood, Warrington
21.06 - TRNSMT, Glasgow
09.07 - Ally Pally Park, London (with The Maccabees)
24.07 - Tramlines, Sheffield
25.07 - Latitude, Beccles
26.07 - Truck, Oxfordshire
21.08 - Green Man, Crickhowell
28.08 - Leeds Festival, Leeds
30.08 - Reading Festival, Reading
24.11 - St Luke's, Glasgow
25.11 - NUSU, Newcastle
26.11 - Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
27.11 - Irish Centre, Leeds
29.11 - XOYO, Birmingham
30.11 - 1865, Southampton
01.12 - Chalk, Brighton
02.12 - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
04.12 - Electric Bristol, Bristol
05.12 - Albert Hall, Manchester
NEW SINGLE ‘KICK STONES (THE BOYS)’ OUT NOW