Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts + The Speedways + Vieira and The Silvers @ The Grace, London 20th July 2026
I’ve been waiting to see Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts for two or three years now. I’m pleased that they’ve managed to play a gig when I can actually attend. In tow, they bring not one but two bands: Vieira and The Silvers and The Speedways.
Vieira and The Silvers
Vieira and The Silvers are up first. They were originally formed in Norwich by frontman Diogo Vieira da Silva, but are now based in London. They are a five-piece consisting of Diogo on vocals and harmonica, two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer.
Their music is a heady mix of blues and psychedelia which harks back to the late 1960s, but still manages to sound modern and relevant. At the beginning of most of the songs, the musicians have a small jam before breaking into the song proper. You would think that might be a bit of a mess, but it’s really atmospheric.
Some of the songs have interesting tempo changes that make me think the band are certainly worth further investigation. Probably a band to watch.
The Speedways
The Speedways are also London-based and are a four-piece comprising Matt Julian on lead vocals and guitar, Adrian Alfonso on bass and backing vocals, Dan Spagnolo on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Kris Hood on drums.
Their musical influences seem to come from the punk and new wave era of the late 1970s – the era of power pop. Indeed, they sound like they could be the bastard children of Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Nick Lowe. Every song sounds like it could be a single. Forty-five years ago they’d probably have been huge!
When they play their new single, Luna, they announce that they’re making a new album. Well, it sounds like they’ve got plenty of top-notch material. Visiting Hours is a prime example. We’re told that’s going to be on the album.
The Day I Call You Mine is introduced as “an oldie”. That it may be, but they mess up the intro and have to start it again. Telephone Lies stands out for me. The middle eight is powered along by one ginormous drum roll. Great stuff!
We’re told that In a World Without Love It’s Hard to Stay Young is going to be the last song. It’s another banger, but its chorus seems to share a chord sequence with The Only Ones’ Another Girl, Another Planet. However, it’s not their last song, as they tear into a cover of Nick Lowe’s Heart of the City. At least they acknowledge their influences!
This has been a hugely enjoyable set. Should you wish to experience some of The Speedways’ magic, they play at Bedford Esquires on 14th August.
Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts
At bang on 9.35pm, Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts swagger onstage to their walk-on music: So It Goes by Nick Lowe. Seemingly it’s Nick Lowe night tonight!
They kick into Little Renegade from 2024’s Rogue to Redemption, which is in fact their most recent album. They rock much harder live than their records might suggest. They sound on a par with AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and UFO when those bands were in their prime. It’s not just their playing, however; it’s their material too, which is pretty awesome.
Sadie Mae has a truly anthemic introduction and some ace dual lead guitar. The audience are singing along loudly, and I can’t help wondering for how much longer Tuk Smith and his compadres will be playing venues this small. The Grace only has a capacity of 150.
Same Old You reminds me, in terms of pace at least, of American Girl by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was a single in 2020, so was one of the first songs the band released. Ballad of a Misspent Youth, the title track of their debut album, has a crunching riff that AC/DC would be proud of.
Before playing Girls on the East Side of Town, Tuk tells us that it isn’t a Thin Lizzy cover. It could be, though, with its trademark Lizzy-esque dual lead guitar. Ain’t for the Faint reminds me of a distant, heavier cousin of Run to You by Bryan Adams, while Troubled Paradise includes a snippet of the introduction to Mott the Hoople’s All the Young Dudes.
Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts have songs that could fill stadiums. They’re very much that kind of band. They’re certainly one of the best rock ’n’ roll bands that I’ve seen recently, and there have been a few.
They’re a great band who need your support to enable them to come over to this side of the pond again before too long. Buy their records and their merch. See their shows. Between now and Sunday, they play in Wolverhampton, Leeds and Glasgow. If you can get there, do so. You won’t regret it.
WORDS: MARK KELLY PHOTOS: CRIS WATKINS
