Foxhaunt’s First London Headline Hits Hard at The Grace

York lads Foxhaunt have been bubbling under for a while, throwing out massive choruses and the kind of riffs that stick with you for days. They sit somewhere between alt-rock grit and emo heart, with songs that are just begging to be shouted back in sweaty little venues.

Frontman Ollie Swift handles vocals with that mix of grit and melody that pulls you right in, while Thom Clayton’s guitar lines drive everything forward. Jamie Scott holds it all together on drums, tight and relentless, and Sam Whittle brings the low-end weight on bass that makes those choruses hit even harder.

Away from the stage, they’ve been grafting just as hard online. Their following on TikTok has been growing at a ridiculous pace, pulling in fans from way beyond their hometown. This night at The Grace wasn’t just another gig for them. It was their first ever London headline, and you could feel the weight of that moment from the second they stepped out.

What really sets Foxhaunt apart is the way they balance that heavier alt-rock bite with melodies built to stick in your head. Tracks like “Blissful Ignorance” already sound like they belong in bigger rooms, and it’s clear the band know how to pace a set to make every chorus land. On stage, Ollie commands attention with ease, while Thom, Jamie, and Sam lock in tight behind him, each bringing their own spark without ever overshadowing the songs. It’s the kind of chemistry you can’t fake, and it’s what makes their live show feel less like a first headline and more like a band already ready for the next level.

If you’ve never been, The Grace sits opposite Highbury & Islington station, tucked away up a narrow staircase that’s above the larger venue, The Garage. It’s small, dark, and loud, basically perfect for nights like this. The low ceiling makes it feel like the band is practically on top of you, and every kick drum or bass note rattles straight through the floor. The Grace has a vast history of breaking new acts and showcasing the best up-and-coming bands. It’s the kind of room where bands cut their teeth, and the kind of room where you know you’ll be able to say “I saw them there” a few years down the line.

Omega Bad kicked things off with bags of energy, setting the tone for the night straight away. They’ve got that raw, slightly chaotic spark you only really get in a support band hungry to win people over, and it worked, people who didn’t know them before were nodding along by the end.

Then came All Ears Avow, who brought slicker alt-rock vibes, with riffs that hit hard and vocals that soared. They had the crowd properly warmed up, clapping along and loosening the place up for what was to come. You could feel the energy in the room build with each song, the perfect ramp up for Foxhaunt’s big moment.

By the time Foxhaunt finally walked on, you could tell how much it meant to them and to the crowd, too. From the first note they launched into, the room was bouncing. Those massive choruses sounded even bigger with a London crowd screaming them back, and every breakdown or riff got heads moving instantly. It wasn’t polished to perfection, but it didn’t need to be. It was raw, loud, and full of heart.

The best bit? The connection. You could see it on their faces, half disbelief, half joy, as the crowd sang their words right back at them. It felt less like a band “making their London debut” and more like a celebration between mates who’d all been waiting for this night. By the last track, the whole room was one sweaty, shouting mass. If Foxhaunt wanted to prove they’re ready for bigger things, The Grace was all the evidence they needed.