LIVE FROM THE PIT: Heart Attack Man, Pinkshift and Sunday Best

After their big cover in April, PINKSHIFT were back in the UK! And together with HEART ATTACK MAN were ecstatic for their final show at the Signature Brew in London. Both American bands are quite familiar with UK crowds and have built a devoted fanbase eager for more shows. Since forming in 2013, pop-punk band HEART ATTACK MAN has made consistent efforts to perform in the UK, particularly from 2023 onward. PINKSHIFT has been performing pop punk and post hardcore music since 2019 and made their first trip to the UK in 2022. Supporting this co-headliner was SUNDAY BEST, an upcoming DIY emo punk band from London.

From the moment SUNDAY BEST strode onto the stage in coordinated black and yellow outfits, it was clear that this performance would find new fans within the crowd. Their commanding stage presence immediately draws the audience closer to the barricades. Rather than simply performing to the crowd, the audience participation was a crucial part of the show. Alex Ekong had taught five words from their song Margin “till you cross me out". The call and response echoed throughout the room, creating one of the night's most memorable moments and reinforcing the sense of unity between the band and their fans.

As the set gathered momentum, the crowd understood their mission. The floor erupted into a series of different pits, each matching the pace of the setlist. Chaos had gushed with hardcore style, circle and push pits. The highlight of this set came from the lead vocalist entering the pit alongside their guitarist. Surrounded by fans, he instructed everyone to crouch down before erupting together into a mass jump, instantly transforming the centre of the venue into one enormous pit. The set cemented a connection between the audience and SUNDAY BEST. 

Launching straight into Burn the Witch, PINKSHIFT wasted no time establishing their commanding presence. Their energy was infectious and immediately compels the audience to dance and collide. Fans responded with awe to every track; clapping in time, throwing themselves into energetic pits, and matching the band's intensity song after song. At the centre of it all was vocalist Ashrita, whose performance felt deeply personal. Every lyric was delivered with passion and it was impossible to ignore the raw emotion poured into each song. Their stage presence was magnetic, balancing aggression with vulnerability in a way that made every moment feel genuine. Softer tracks pulling heartstrings within the crowd and angrier tracks cutting through the venue with controlled screams. Every member of PINKSHIFT looked completely at home on stage.

Their playful chemistry with one another fuelled the band's infectious sense of purpose. Following the chaos, the music settled into a more atmospheric moment with the audience swaying in unison. The emotional depth of the performance became crystal clear, creating a powerful contrast that lingered throughout the venue. Closing the set with Something More, PINKSHIFT closed their set with an emotional experience that left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. 

To close their final date on the co-headliner summer tour, HEART ATTACK MAN took to the stage with an eager crowd ready to make memories. Paul from PINKSHIFT was on double duty as he went on to perform with HEART ATTACK MAN in the same evening. There was no sign of fatigue as he delivered each track with the same precision. With a devoted fanbase, each song was cherished. Every movement felt purposeful with chaotic pits and a steady stream of crowd surfers making their way to the barrier.

With mesmerising stage presence, Eric Egan catapults the energy within the room calling for more pits and singing alongs. Between songs, HEART ATTACK MAN shared their appreciation for UK crowds, commenting on how fans don't just sing the lyrics but the guitar riffs too. The crowd responded back accordingly as the memorable melody from The Gallows rippled back onto the stage. Their show is exhilarating and forces the audience to move freely.

As the crowd poured out of the venue, excitement lingered in the air with anticipation already building for the return of both HEART ATTACK MAN and PINKSHIFT. SUNDAY BEST left a lasting impression, establishing themselves as a band well worth keeping an eye on. 

Words: Theviya R Karunaharan 

Photos: Libby Percival