Tors / The Beacon / Bristol

Through October, November and December, Devon indie-folk trio Tors have been touring the world, with dates in North America and right across Europe. Tonight, the tour comes to an end, fittingly in the Lantern Hall at the Bristol Beacon.

We have two support acts tonight, and first up in stage is 18 year old Jasper Hodges. From Whitstable Bay in Kent, the singer songwriter has had a phenomenal 2025, touring with the likes of Louis Dunford and releasing his first two singles Here and Now, and Whitstable Bay. 2025 also saw the release of his debut EP “British Summertime”.

Jasper delivered a very impressive set. For someone of his age, he was brimming with self-confidence and assured in his abilities. At ease with the crowd from the off, his level of conversation and interaction was just right. Light hearted and explaining a little about each song. At one part he had terrible difficulty in getting his guitar in tune between songs, but made light of it, and almost ,made it part of the experience – and fun.

His song writing is fantastic, but his lyrics are what make the songs. Highlights for me are the song Whitstable Bay all about a summer in his home town, spent on the beach with his mates, finding and repairing a boat and going fishing, to while away the days. The construction is great, and you really get a sense of what he is describing, almost making his memories yours.

The other standout for me was Risk It All a beautiful soulful number about love. Again the lyrics are so descriptive, expressing the emotions of someone wanting to be with someone tonight. The lyrics express it well with lines like “We may fall, there’s a chance we may fly, but we’ll only know if we risk it all”.

A thoroughly enjoyable start to the night.

Setlist (part)

Bound to Leave

British Summertime

Whitstable Bay

Risk It All

Next up on stage is Jo Hill form the Cheddar in the South West, with Kanga (apologies if I spelt it wrong) supporting on guitar and vocals too. With influences ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Remi Wolf, Kasey Musgraves, to Benee, her sound is a mix of indie pop/rock/soul with a delightful pinch of country. 2024 saw the release of her debut album “Girlhood”

The songs were a great mix, of serious and frivolous, and she manages the balance between the two so well. A wonderful and powerful voice, with a great range, Jo is able to bring soft, mellow musings, as well as power notes to her audience with equal aplomb.

Glastonbury is, as you might suspect, about Jo’s favourite festival in the world, one that she has performed at and is bright and fun. Big Boys Cry Too is just as heartfelt, in a different way but this time, reflecting on men’s mental health issues and that it is good, and something you can do – cry – and let others in to help – that’s its not a sign of weakness as some men seem to think.

Crazy Bitch is fast and noisy and a real sing along track, created from a relationship breakdown, and how interactions and relation scan shape how we behave. Wee can either work things through, or I can be a crazy bitch !

Just like Jasper, Jo had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout. A real rising talent, and certainly one to watch out for !

Setlist (part)

POWGirl

Glastonbury

Big Boys Cry Too

Crazy Bitch

Zoom Out

Finally it was time for the tour finale. The stage was beautifully decorated, with tables festooned with greenery and candles, and strings of LED lights round table stands and drums alike. The Lantern Hall was sold out as Matt Weedon (vocals & guitar). Theo Weedon (guitar & vocals) and Jack Bowden (drums) took their positions.

They opened the set with Wilder Days from 2018 and the sound filled the hall. The audience, clearly know their Tors, and were singing and dancing along from the off ! Theo and Matt both move freely around the stage interacting with the crowd at every opportunity. This was followed by Heavy Hearts, from their 2024 “Miracles” EP, which is packed with their signature mix of strong harmonies and catchy choruses.

One of the highlights is Does He Make You Happy? from their 2023 EP “Anything Can Happen” which highlights their emotional and so expressive storytelling style. Another highlight is perhaps their best known hit from 2022, Garden On The Kitchen Floor. The packed house sang along to the relatable lyrics which are about appreciating life to the full, and trying to focus the positives instead of the negatives all around us. The world is ultimately a wonderful place.

Anything Can Happen, is a heartfelt exploration of the their own experiences with depression and how we need to focus on and celebrate the small victories along the road to recovery, no matter how insignificant we try and convince ourselves that they are, which is followed by Never Give Up, about fighting for your passions in life.

As the night drew to a close, they performed the title track from their EP, Miracle before we enjoy a stunning version of the track Only For You, which delivers some of the best harmonies you could hope to hear.

The set ends with the beautiful Empty Hands, from 2019 and the crowd are singing along loudly to the chorus sections. Overall, Tors performance in the Lantern Hall was packed with special moments and outstanding music. The songs are powerful, rammed full of beautiful harmonies, and fun interactions, all of which made it a memorable experience.

I was struck by the connection Tors had with the audience and vice versa. A wonderful heartfelt, and uplifting experience.

Setlist

Wilder Days (“Wilder Days” EP 2018)

Heavy Hearts (“Miracle” EP 2024)

Happy Enough (“Miracle” EP 2024)

I Don’t Wanna Know (“Never Give Up” EP 2025)

What If (“Songs from the Road” EP 2025)

Merry Go Round (Single 2017)

Does He Make You Happy (“Anything Can Happen” EP 2023)

Was It Love

Must Confess

Dying Stars (“Never Give Up” EP 2025)