Super Furry Animals, Baxter Dury, Los Campesinos!, Divorce & Pys Melyn @ Museum Gardens, York - 11th July 2026
- John Hayhurst
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
Hello Sunshine, Psychedelia and another Perfect Day in York Museum Gardens
Words and Photos - John Hayhurst
York Museum Gardens continues to establish itself as one of Yorkshire's most picturesque live outdoor music venues, and with an eclectic line-up featuring Super Furry Animals, Baxter Dury, Los Campesinos!, Divorce and Pys Melyn, there was never much doubt that this would attract a healthy diverse crowd.
Blessed with warm sunny weather and a relaxed atmosphere, it was a boutique festival feel with a gathering of music fans who knew they were in for something special.
Pys Melyn opened the day in confident fashion, easing the early arrivals into the afternoon with their relaxed upbeat indie sound and unmistakable Welsh charm. Their set quickly drew curious people away from the bars and food stalls, watching a band sing all their songs in Welsh for non Welsh speakers is a challenge, but the audience was steadily growing as word spread that the festival had got off to a flying start.
Next came Divorce, whose mix of indie rock, folk and Americana provided a noticeable shift in mood. Their harmonies carried effortlessly across the gardens, and they balanced quieter, more intimate moments with songs that encouraged the first real sing-along of the day. Having gone through their own internal 'Divorce' and reducing down to the two main songwriters - Felix Mackenzie-Barrow and Tiger Cohen-Towell. Bigger stages really shouldn't be far away for them, having seen them a few times at festivals this Nottingham based band never let you down.
If Divorce provided reflection, Los Campesinos! supplied the release. Their set was loud, emotional and wonderfully chaotic, with the crowd responding from the opening number. Frontman Gareth Campesinos! barely stood still, feeding off an audience who shouted every lyric back with remarkable enthusiasm. Whether you were a long-time fan or hearing them for the first time, it was impossible not to get swept along by the energy.
Baxter Dury kept the groove and dance beat going and never lost the attention of the crowd. His trademark antics of throwing his jacket open and doing an open arms pose, then a kung fu stance all with a wry smile on his face as the audience lapped it up, it was repeated ad nauseam through every track in the set.
The dry humour and conversational style songs had the audience laughing almost as often as they were applauding. Cool, understated and effortlessly charismatic, he demonstrated why he's become such a compelling live performer. Backed by a tight 3-piece band, the groove never really let up, and several of the evening's biggest cheers (and screams) arrived during his set.
'Allberone' the title track of his latest album, sounds like a hot Italian night spot, however it's a satirical, synth-driven track about Dury sitting in the rain after being stood up outside an All Bar One. A small taste of the wit from the man, and yes he is the son of Ian, but very much his own person.
As daylight began to soften across the gardens, anticipation built for Super Furry Animals. Their arrival was met with a huge reception, and they rewarded it with a set that celebrated a career built on experimentation without ever forgetting the hooks that made them one of Britain's most distinctive bands.
From the opening notes of '(Drawing) Rings Around The World' , the band sounded remarkably fresh and up for the night. There's a world cup match on later, so the curfew is 10pm and they have started 40 mins earlier than advertised, which might account for the generous space around the grounds. 'Golden Retriever' and 'Something 4 The Weekend' echo around this historic space but on stage there were very little coloured lights.
However, that was deliberate as during 'Hello Sunshine' bright psychedelic textures, shimmering guitars and infectious melodies filled the gardens, the visuals complemented the music without ever distracting from it. Long-time fans sang every word, while newer listeners found themselves caught up in the atmosphere.
The set flowed naturally through different eras of the band's catalogue, reminding everyone just how many genuinely great songs they've produced. The crowd danced, sang and applauded throughout, with several extended ovations punctuating the performance.
The setting undoubtedly played its part. York Museum Gardens offers one of the most unique concert experiences in the region, with historic surroundings creating an atmosphere that's difficult to replicate elsewhere. As darkness settled and the final songs rang out across the city, there was a genuine sense that everyone present had shared something memorable.
This wasn't about elaborate production or headline-grabbing spectacle. It was about five bands, each bringing their own identity to a beautifully curated eclectic line-up, and an audience willing to embrace every minute of it. By the end of the night, York Museum Gardens had once again proved why it has become one of the North's finest outdoor music venues, in it's second year now and I predict many more to come.
