Gig Review: COSM, Citrus and Mule

On the 23rd April we welcome Cornwall's COSM to Newgate Social, designated venue for their Black Holes tour. Supporting was local bands Citrus and Mule. What became was a night of grassroots power, sound and energy and we loved every second of it.

Listen while you read:

Cosm

Under the lights of The Newgate Social, COSM delivered a wholesome and warm experience, reminding us why we write music as artists. Armed with a wall of shimmering guitars, the four-piece carved a sound that felt both intimate and expansive. It was the sort of performance that pulled the room inward, then pushed it back out in waves of distortion and melody.

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At the centre, stood vocalist and guitarist Tom Hunter, whose understated stage presence let the songs do the heavy lifting; whilst around him, the band locked into an instinctive chemistry.

Emily Howarth’s guitar lines adding texture and bite, Jim Hunter’s bass grounding everything with a steady pulse, and Zach O’Loughlin’s drumming giving the set its driving momentum. Their live dynamic mirrored the lineup and sound of their 2024 debut EP, but on stage, the material hit with even more force.

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COSM’s music thrives on layering, swirling effects, hypnotic grooves, crescendos that build patiently before crashing into something bigger. Every track felt immediate, alive, and sharpened by the energy of the room. The audience wasn’t just watching; they were being absorbed into the sound.

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For a band still in the early stages of their rise, COSM carried themselves with the assurance of a far more seasoned act. Their set had the confidence of a group who know exactly what they want to sound like, while still leaving room for evolution.

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Citrus:

Walking the line between indie rock grit and more melodic, jazz-tinged influences, their live set has a looseness that never tips into messiness.

From the moment they step on stage, there’s a clear sense of identity. Frontwoman Eleanor Adams carries the performance with a confident but unforced presence, her vocals shifting easily between soft, introspective moments and more driving, full-band peaks. Behind her, the band lock into a groove that feels both tight and unpretentious, never over-rehearsed, but never sloppy either.

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What stands out most is their balance. There’s a warmth to their sound that pulls from folk and classic rock, but it’s undercut by sharper indie edges; jangling guitars, rhythmic basslines, and drums that feel just loose enough to keep things human. It gives the set a natural rise-and-fall dynamic, rather than a flat wall of noise.

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Live, their songs breathe more than they do online. Guitar lines stretch out, rhythms lean into improvisation, and small moments such as implementing Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain riff as their transition, added to the sense that you’re watching something so creative and malleable.

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If there’s a critique, it’s that the band are still refining their standout moments. At times, the set blends into a consistent vibe rather than delivering sharp peaks. But that feels less like a flaw and more like a band still shaping what will eventually become their defining sound. By the end of the night, Citrus didn't so much explode offstage as leave a lingering impression, subtle, melodic, and quietly confident.

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Mule:

Indie newcomers Mule delivered only their second live performance, that wasn’t one to forget.

Still in the earliest stages of finding their footing, Mule approached their set with a confidence. What stood out most was their willingness to throw themselves fully into the performance.

There’s a certain fearlessness that comes with being at the very beginning, and Mule leaned into that. Particularly when their sound locked in during one of their more recent releases Pieces, there was a cool and compelling nature about each of them. Mule certainly has the ambition & drive to channel that energy, and with a little more discipline and maturity, they could develop into something genuinely exciting on the local circuit.

In short: Undeniably ambitious and that’s often where the most interesting stories begin

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The gig as a whole was exactly what Newgate Social is all about, providing a space for grassroots artists, new music and undeniable talent. Each band providing different layers to the night, forcing the night into one that will go down in Newgate Social history books.

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Artist Links

COSM >

Citrus >

Mule > 

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