Tyketto live review: From Cult Heroes to Chart-Toppers: Tyketto Ignite 229 Club on the Closer to the Sun Tour

229 Club London 17th April 2026

The Closer to the Sun Tour rolled into the 229 Club, and for fans of melodic rock, it felt like a bit of a celebration rather than just another gig.

Opening the night were Collateral, who wasted no time getting the room warmed up. Their modern take on classic hard rock slotted in perfectly with the bill, big hooks, confident delivery, and a crowd that quickly got on side.

Next up, Warrior Soul brought a different kind of energy. Clearly a big draw for many in the room, there was a real sense of anticipation before they even hit the stage. For fans who’d waited years to catch them live, they didn’t disappoint: raw, loud, and properly appreciated.

By the time cult heroes, Tyketto took the stage, the place was packed and ready. Formed in New York in the late ’80s and long considered one of melodic rock’s most underrated names, they’ve built a reputation on strong songs that have quietly stood the test of time. It’s also been over a decade since their last album, making Closer to the Sun a big moment, not just because it finally arrived, but because it went straight to number one on the UK Rock & Metal chart.

Frontman Danny Vaughn, the only remaining original member, was in great form, both vocally and with the crowd. He even acknowledged the long gap between records, promising it wouldn’t be another ten years before the next one. Fair promise, but on this showing, fans would probably wait again if they had to.

The setlist struck a smart balance between new material and long-time favourites:

Rescue Me kicked things off before rolling into Wings and Burning Down Inside. Newer cuts like Higher Than High, Reach, and the title track Closer to the Sun sat comfortably alongside older songs, never feeling like momentum killers. If anything, they reinforced just how consistent the band still are.

There was a nice run through The Run, We Rise, and Circle the Wagons, while Seasons opened with a brief nod to Everybody Wants to Rule the World, which got a knowing reaction from the crowd. A left-field but fun moment came with Harleys & Indians (Riders in the Sky) a Roxette cover that added something different to the set.

By the time Standing Alone, Lay Your Body Down, and The Brave rolled around, the singalongs were in full swing. And of course, there was only one way to finish, Forever Young as the encore, with voices across the room carrying it as loudly as the band.

Onstage, the band looked like they were having a great time, plenty of movement, animated guitars, and yes, a fair bit of hair flying around. But more importantly, the songs still land. That’s really what this comes down to. Tyketto might not have had the breakthrough their peers did back in the day, but nights like this show why they’re still here, and why new fans are still finding them.

A sweaty London club, a packed room, and a set full of songs people genuinely care about. Hard to ask for much more than that.

Review Cathy Clark

Photos Gerry Driver