Sarah/Shaun – Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms – September 2026 (Gig review)

Hot on the heels of supporting Maribou State at Fringe by the Sea, last month, Edinburgh’s Sarah/Shaun are tonight playing the more tranquil Voodoo Rooms. 

Having started as a husband and wife duo, Sarah and Shaun McLachlan have expanded to a six piece, with the band name retained as something “people wouldn’t forget”. 

A slightly tinkered version of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ plays as the band take to the stage (there was a bit of reverb in there), “the greatest song ever written”, Shaun tells me later.

Opener ‘Dust Tears’ is a pulsating slice of dream pop, plenty of synth, beats and atmospheric vocals. There is an 80’s feel to this track which is in contrast to the bright psychedelic visuals on display that are indicative to the 1970’s. 

Stage presence isn’t a deal breaker but if you have it then by all means flaunt it and Sarah very much does so. Similar to last month’s Fringe By The Sea gig she dons a large shiny cape and every stage twirl brings with it glittering reflections. Sarah’s airy and melancholic vocals are akin to the late Trish Keenan and Beach House’s Victoria Legrand. 

‘Heart Starting Beating (Backwards)’ is the night’s standout track, a beautiful love song that truly comes alive on the stage. That’s not to diminish the recorded version, which is a great slice of electronica in its own right but everything felt dialled up here, particularly Ryan Marinello’s high tempo drumming. 

The swooning guitars on ‘Desperation Looks Ill’ once again strikes Beach House comparisons while also slowing down the trajectory of the earlier tracks. It may be as Sarah puts it “a slow song” but its cinematic instrumentation is quite something, it wouldn’t feel out of place on the ‘Drive’ soundtrack. 

For a band to be endorsed by David Holmes, Sonic Boom, Nadine Shah and Chvrches, to name but a few, then they must be on to something and tonight only confirms that. Sarah/Shaun should definitely be your new favourite band. 

Sarah/Shaun play The Glad Cafe, Glasgow on 14th October 2026, supporting Kelley Stoltz.

In Silence Love Speaks Loudest  is out now, via Hobbes Music

Main photo credit: Marc Bean