Tough Cookie take on Oslo Hackney in honour of their debut mixtape ‘The Countryside Is Good For You’
The band — who are set to be big in 2026 — brought their debut mixtape to London for a headline show.
Photo: Billie Wheeler
Dalston-based indie/alt-rock quartet Tough Cookie took to the stage at Oslo Hackney for a show that marked a major milestone in their rapidly growing career: their debut headline tour. For a band that only released their first track on Spotify earlier this year, the night felt less like an introduction and more like a statement of intent. From start to finish, Tough Cookie delivered an energetic, confident performance that proved they are more than ready to claim their space within the UK’s indie and alternative scene.
Fresh off the release of their debut EP, The Countryside Is Good For You, which dropped in October, the band have already built impressive momentum. The EP showcases their ability to balance intense guitar riffs with emotionally charged vocals, and this dynamic translates seamlessly to a live setting. Playing to a packed-out Oslo, Tough Cookie fed off the crowd’s energy, creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and electric as soon as they stepped on stage.
The night was opened by Tooth, another exciting up-and-coming act who set the tone for the night seamlessly and with ease. By the time they took to the stage, the room was already buzzing, and their set only amplified that anticipation. Performing tracks such as Don’t Cut Me Down, Rain Song and E.D.M., Tooth delivered a performance defined by what can only be described as perfected chaos. Their raw sound and unfiltered stage presence immediately grabbed the audience’s attention, ensuring the energy in the room was at a high long before the headline act appeared.
When Tough Cookie finally emerged, they wasted no time kicking off the set with their track Sandcastles 2008, immediately establishing a commanding presence, launching straight into Dick Of The Year and Paycheck without missing a beat. The transitions between songs were slick and purposeful, maintaining momentum and keeping the crowd fully engaged. Brief moments of banter and introductions helped build a connection with the audience without disrupting the pace of the set.
Much of the night centred around material from their debut mixtape The Countryside Is Good For You, a project whose title feels almost a little ironic at the time, given the band were performing in one of the busiest areas of London. Tracks like Disappear, Dumb, and Control were delivered with relentless energy, driven by gritty guitar lines and intense vocals that had the entire crowd moving.
Midway through the set, the band slowed things down slightly with the mixtape’s title track, The Countryside Is Good For You. In contrast to the heavier moments of the night, the song felt warm and introspective, like the kind of track you might associate with a quiet Sunday morning rather than a sold-out London venue. Despite the shift in tempo, the audience remained captivated, swaying along before the band quickly ramped things back up again.
The final stretch of the set consisted of Mercy, Happiness, and Emory, the first track Tough Cookie released back in February. Ending on Emory felt fitting, bringing the night full circle and highlighting just how far the band have come in such a short space of time. By the end of the set, the entire room was on its feet, a clear testament to the band’s infectious energy and growing fanbase.
Tough Cookie are an exciting and refreshing new force in the indie and alternative landscape. With a debut mixtape, a headline tour, and an already devoted following under their belt less than a year after their first release, they are undoubtedly a band on the rise. If this show is any indication, Tough Cookie’s upward trajectory is only just beginning.
All photos by Billie Wheeler.