It’s fair to say we’ve got history with Allium. The gods of the musical cosmos have long conspired to keep us apart, thwarting every attempt to align our calendars. But last Friday, the stars finally fell into place — and it’s hard not to believe it was all part of some grand design. Because this incarnation of Allium isn’t just good; it’s something far greater than we ever dared imagine.
A lineup refresh last year injected fresh fuel into the engine. Enter Henry Harris on bass and Noah Houghton on drums, joining founding members — the mesmerising Maya MacCallum and the ferocious Tom Sheppard on guitar — to propel Allium into a whole new orbit. The results speak for themselves.
In the first half of 2025, this fizzing alt-rock four-piece have carved out a sound that crashes the raw punch of ’90s and early-2000s guitar music headfirst into a jagged, modern edge. February’s “See No Evil” was a brooding step into darker, more layered territory that pulled in fresh ears, setting the stage for June’s explosive “Onomatopoeia.” That track didn’t just announce Allium’s ambitions — it howled them from the rooftops, earning the band their first BBC Radio 1 spin courtesy of Alyx Holcombe’s “Introducing Rock.”
Some young bands have all the stage presence and charisma, but the sound just isn’t quite there. Others the musicality to already put seasoned headliners to shame, but the personality of a wet towel. Allium however have all the constituent elements that make the great bands truly great.
In MacCallum they’ve got a performer who’s magnetic — dazzling under the lights with a voice that doesn’t just hit your ears, it surges through your chest, and a smile that could thaw the frostiest crowd. Tom and Henry don’t just loiter in the margins; they stride forward, locking in with Maya’s energy and crafting a dynamic interplay that gives her moments to breathe before pulling the trigger again. Behind them, Noah’s drumming is an unrelenting force, propelling the entire machine with pinpoint power. This is a band in absolute sync, instinctively knowing when to turn the screw and when to reel the crowd back in.
Their set was a masterclass in pacing. They kicked off with “Intruder” from 2023’s debut album In The Dark — a track that channels early No Doubt energy and instantly won over the room. “Orion’s Belt” gave newcomers a taste of Allium’s knack for shifting gears, but it was the back half of the night that confirmed this band are operating on a plane far above their peers.
“Witches” and “See No Evil” raised the stakes before “Onomatopoeia” — comfortably one of our standout tracks of the year — proved that Allium don’t just write songs; they write anthems.
In just eight songs, they showcased a catalogue that already hints at a maturity some bands chase for decades and never catch. With a growing arsenal of fist-in-the-air choruses and a reputation for electrifying live shows, Allium are rapidly emerging as one of the UK alt scene’s most thrilling prospects.
And the most exciting — or perhaps frightening — part? They’re only just getting started.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
