Roller Derby – When the Night Comes Tour November 2025

In early November, we attended Roller Derby’s penultimate show of their ‘When the Night Comes’ Autumn 2025 tour. This sold-out show took place at The Edge of the Wedge in Portsmouth, an intimate venue attached to the famous Wedgewood Rooms.

We were lucky enough to enjoy support from Moon Idle and Mimi Rae, the latter of whom went on to headline a hometown show the following month. Both bands warmed up the crowd well, with Moon Idle bringing trip-hop and alt-rock vibes, followed by the honest and upbeat indie pop of Mimi Rae, which had the majority of the crowd dancing and ready for the headliners, Roller Derby.

Roller Derby are a duo from Hamburg consisting of Philine Meyer (vocals, keys) and Manuel Romero Soria (guitar). They create beautifully nostalgic ’80s-inspired modern indie pop. I was initially drawn in by a social media advert comparing them to the shoegaze and dream pop sounds of Beach House and Slowdive, and I thought, why not have a fun night out while supporting a local venue?

The duo performed the entirety of their album ‘When the Night Comes’, opening with ‘Dreams’, which, true to its name, evoked a dreamlike state, with many of us swaying along to the beat. The harmonies provided by both Philine and Manuel were particularly captivating.

The artists had decorated the stage with winding vine leaves, and the lighting mirrored elements of the album artwork. Although minimal, it added significantly to the overall atmosphere of the night. Having only listened to a couple of songs before the concert, I’ll highlight some of the standouts that turned me into a fan: ‘Lights Out’, ‘Your Love Is a Lie’, and ‘Ready to Forget’, all from the album, make an impact.

We were also treated to songs from their earlier discography, including ‘Starry-Eyed’, ‘Holy Waters’, and ‘Always on My Mind’, the latter of which had both myself and the majority of the crowd dancing and cheering. Judging by the applause and the excellent performance, I’d say anyone who wasn’t already a fan was converted by the end of the evening.

The final song, ‘Goodbye’, was a perfect send-off; a slow, melancholic delight. The band’s crowd interaction was humble and understated, suiting their musical style perfectly.

Even now, I find myself returning to the album; it soundtracks a peaceful evening walk beautifully. If you get the chance to see this band live, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.

Photos courtesy of Steve James – http://stevejamesimages.co.uk/