Still shining, Echobelly prove ON never lost its spark at a packed Network, Sheffield

HARRY K
Oct 7
3 min read

Echobelly - Network, Sheffield – 4th October 2025

WORDS HARRY K / IMAGES PHIL WRIGHT

Still shining, Echobelly prove ON never lost its spark at a packed Network, Sheffield — Credit Phil Wright

Network’s compact floor and low ceiling made for a snug, charged space on Saturday night. The crowd — a contagious mix of die-hard Echobelly devotees and younger faces drawn by the ON anniversary buzz — packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting for a hit of mid-’90s magic. You could feel the hum of anticipation long before the lights dimmed.

Babybird opened with the kind of understated brilliance that sneaks up on you. Stephen Jones strolled out with the calm assurance of a man who’s been here, done it, and bought the T-shirt. “Goodnight” and “Cornershop” set the tone — moody, melodic, and laced with dry humour. Then came that song. “You’re Gorgeous” arrived to a roar, and suddenly Network became one big confession booth. Jones leaned into the irony, half-smiling as he delivered the line that made him famous, still sharp as ever. Between songs, he fired off acidic one-liners like postcards from a slightly twisted England. By the end, everyone was laughing, loose, and primed — the perfect runway for Echobelly’s arrival.

When Sonya Madan appeared, the room’s energy flipped from warmth to voltage. Her voice cut straight through the mix — clear, commanding, and utterly assured. Opening with ON’s first notes, Echobelly proved instantly that this was no nostalgia exercise. The band sounded tight, alive, refreshed.

The setlist followed ON in full, each track landing with intent. “Great Things” sparked the first mass singalong; and “King of the Kerb” hit like a lightning bolt, the floor moving as one. By the time “I Can't Imagine the World Without Me” closed the set, the air felt thick with shared history.

Musically, they struck the perfect balance — faithful to the record but sharper round the edges. The guitars bit harder, the rhythm section locked tight, and the songs breathed with the kind of confidence that only comes from years on the road. This was a band reborn, not replaying old glories.

Between songs, Sonya was warm, funny, reflective. She thanked Sheffield, nodded to the 30-year journey, and talked briefly about what the album still means. It didn’t feel scripted — more like a conversation between old friends.

Soundwise, Network held up. A little bright at times, but Sonya’s vocals never lost their edge. The mix left room for the melodies to shine, and when the quiet moments came, you could hear a pin drop — until the next chorus hit and the crowd exploded again.

The night ended in a surge of noise, chants for an encore echoing through the low ceiling. It felt earned. ON might be thirty years old, but in this packed Sheffield room, it sounded like it was written yesterday.

Verdict: Echobelly proved they’re not just revisiting a classic — they’re reclaiming it. Vocally fierce, instrumentally tight, and emotionally wide open, they reminded everyone why they mattered then and why they still do now.

Setlist