Words and photos by Mason Marreiros
Black Country, New Road (BCNR) formed in 2018 from the ashes of a past band called Nervous Conditions. Fronted by Isaac Wood, BCNR released For the first time in 2021, which reached number four in the UK charts and was seen as a promising start to something big.
Later that year, they announced their second album, Ants From Up There. Just days before the album’s release, Isaac Wood announced his departure from the band, sending shockwaves through the fanbase, as uncertainties of the band’s future began brewing. Luckily, the remaining six members continued the band, splitting the vocals for the most part between Tyler Hyde, May Kershaw, and Georgia Ellery. After Wood’s exit from the band, they released Forever Howlong in 2025, which was met with positive responses, including a 7.5/10 from Pitchfork.
The group last played in Toronto in 2023, and just under three years later, on June 17 2026, they returned to HISTORY for a sold out masterclass. Opened by Horsegirl, the show was off to a good start. BCNR started the crowd off with Strangers, before jumping into many of their best, including The Big Spin, Besties, a cover of Big Star’s The Ballad of El Goodo, and For the Cold Country, ultimately ending off with the titular track of their newest album, Forever Howlong, and lastly, Happy Birthday.
Though some fans have yet to recover from Isaac Wood’s absence in the band, many others have come to love the current lineup and new music. Toronto’s sold out crowd was full of fans who couldn’t get enough. The audience danced, sung, and swayed nonstop. I have no doubt BCNR could return to the city and sell out another larger venue with ease.
Catch up with Black Country, New Road’s latest news on their website and Instagram.
