Live Review: Hot Mulligan - Leeds University Refectory, Leeds
6th March 2026
Support: Delta Sleep, Beauty School
Words & Photos: Martin Hingley
Having played the main stage at last year’s Slam Dunk Festival, Hot Mulligan return to the UK for a short run of shows in support of their latest album The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still.
Opening tonight at Leeds University's Refectory are local lads Beauty School, who landed the slot thanks to lead vocalist Joe Cabrera playing World of Warcraft with Hot Mulligan’s Nathan Sanville. As the opening riffs of Day Of Iva kick in, the packed crowd begins to move and the night gets underway in perfect fashion. Pacing the stage confidently, Cabrera knows exactly how to work the room while the rest of the band drive the energy behind him.
Being from Leeds, the band take a moment to chat with the crowd, sharing stories about watching bands on the very stage they’re now standing on and thanking fans for turning up early. When the punchy intro to Okinawa begins, the room is bouncing, with tight guitar work locking in perfectly with the driving drums. By the time they leave the stage, they’ve made a strong impression, instantly landing themselves on my must-see list for this year’s Slam Dunk Festival.
Brighton math-rock outfit Delta Sleep are next, bringing a very different atmosphere to the evening. Bathed in blue and purple lighting, their melodies and unusual timing shift the crowd into a more laid-back groove. The pulsing intro to Slow Burn sparks a few nodding heads before its complex verses unfold.
Midway through the set things move more towards the indie side of the band’s catalogue with Lake Sprinkle Sprinkle, with guitarist Glen Hodgson leading the charge. Delta Sleep deliver a technically impressive performance, while also bringing a different musical flavour to the evening’s line-up.
Formed in Michigan just over a decade ago, Midwest emo favourites Hot Mulligan have steadily risen through the ranks, and tonight shows exactly why. Opening with new album track Moving To Bed Bug Island, the band begin with its softer, almost folk-like tones before shifting into their more familiar sound with And A Big Load. In fact, the first stretch of the set leans heavily on material from the new record, with Sanville even joking with fans about skipping the album’s interludes.
With his long hair draped over his face, Sanville leads the stage while delivering the distinctive vocals that define the band’s sound. However, he’s quick to share the spotlight, stepping aside at times to give guitarist Ryan Malicsi space to shine. With their blend of punchy riffs and endlessly catchy choruses, it’s no surprise that the crowd frequently drowns out the band as they sing along to their favourite tracks.
Despite a slightly delayed start due to venue issues earlier in the evening, Hot Mulligan still manage to squeeze in a full set, even treating the Leeds crowd to the live debut of recently released track I Don’t Think It’s The Right Time For Emojis. Packed tightly into the venue, fans still find space to open up a few mosh pits as the show reaches its closing moments.
Returning for a two-song encore, which Sanville jokingly describes as a “very sing-along encore”, the band brings the night to a fitting close with BCKYRD and *Equip Sunglasses*.
Tonight proves that Hot Mulligan are becoming one of the most exciting names on the pop-punk and emo circuit. With performances like this, it’s easy to see why they continue climbing festival line-ups year after year.
Photo credits: Martin Hingley
