The Bug Club at Rough Trade Below
On Friday, July 3, 2026, Welsh band The Bug Club (Sam Willmet, Tilly Harris, and drummer Gavin Jenkins) performed and signed records at Rough Trade Below, the downstairs location of Rough Trade NYC. The band scheduled a show two nights prior at Elsewhere Rooftop* (when NYC was experiencing a heat wave) and I was grateful to attend a free performance of theirs inside with air conditioning. Their current tour is in support of their newest record, Every Single Muscle, which was available for sale at Rough Trade. Their performance was scheduled to begin at 6, but I showed up very early to secure a spot up front and I happened to hear their loud soundcheck that also drew in tourists who happened to be nearby in the concourse level of Rockefeller Center. The trio soundchecked “A Bit Like James Bond,” which didn’t make their actual setlist, so I am happy I showed up a lot earlier than was necessary as I love that song. The band also played a bit of The Troggs’ “Love Is All Around” during soundcheck as well that was a fun moment to hear while waiting for the show to start.
Their live set at Rough Trade comprised of songs from Every Single Muscle, naturally, such as “Miss Wales 2012",” “Pretty as a Magazine,” “Semi-Automatic,” “A Good Day for Dying,” (described as angsty by Harris), “It’s Our Manager David,” “All My Clothes Fell Off,” “Shiny and Wet,” “Make It Count,” (introduced by Tilly as being about awkward sex) and “Watching the Omnibus.”
After their performance, the trio signed records and chatted with fans who braved the heat for their free show. I showed up with my five Bug Club albums on vinyl and got them all signed. Some photos of their fun performance can be found in the above gallery.
*I bought a ticket to their rooftop show when it went on sale but I gave it away because I knew I could not deal with the oppressive heat. I’ve fainted during a heatwave during an outdoor show on July 4, 1999** and make an effort to not repeat that. I was hoping Elsewhere would move the event inside but they unfortunately didn’t.
**It was Luscious Jackson, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Mixmaster Mike at SummerStage in Central Park. Amusingly, I was in the act of purchasing water after JSBX’s set when I passed out.