Haircut 100 at The Teragram Ballroom – Live Review
Haircut 100, The Teragram Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA., September 16, 2026
The legendary British pop collective Haircut 100 has spent much of the past decade appearing on nostalgia-fueled New Wave package tours, delighting audiences with the timeless hits that helped define the early ’80s. That made the announcement of a full U.S. headlining tour particularly exciting, giving the band a chance to showcase not only their beloved classics but also brand-new material. With Boxing the Compass, their first studio album since the 1980s, arriving earlier this summer to enthusiastic reviews, fans were eager to see how the new songs would stand alongside the band’s celebrated catalog.
Any doubts were quickly put to rest at a packed and energized Teragram Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles. Led by the ever-charismatic Nick Heyward, alongside founding bassist Les Nemes, guitarist Graham Jones, and an outstanding supporting lineup, Haircut 100 delivered a 17-song set that balanced nostalgia and reinvention with remarkable ease.
Opening with the shimmering one-two punch of “Someone” and “Vanishing Point,” Haircut 100 immediately demonstrated that their creative spark remains very much intact. The new material was greeted enthusiastically, proving that Boxing the Compass is far more than a comeback curiosity. The songs fit naturally within the band’s catalog, carrying the same melodic sophistication and sun-soaked charm that made them favorites in the first place.
The evening became even more special with a performance of “Nobody’s Fool,” the band’s standalone 1982 single. Hearing the song performed live was a genuine treat, especially for longtime devotees who had waited decades for the opportunity. Another highlight from the new album, “Rain Cloud,” followed, further underscoring the strength of Haircut 100’s return.
Digging deeper into their celebrated debut Pelican West, the band delighted dedicated fans with sparkling renditions of “Marine Boy” and “Snow Girl.” These deeper cuts served as welcome reminders of just how rich Haircut 100’s catalog truly is, with their bright horn arrangements and irresistible melodies sounding as fresh today as they did more than four decades ago.
Of course, those arriving in anticipation of the hits were not disappointed. “Fantastic Day” remains one of the most uplifting songs of its era, effortlessly putting smiles on faces throughout the venue. The audience enthusiastically sang along, transforming the Teragram into one giant celebration. Then came the climactic finale, with the pure pop perfection of “Love Plus One” generating one of the loudest responses of the night before giving way to a brilliantly executed rendition of “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl),” sending the crowd home on an undeniable high.
For one unforgettable evening, Haircut 100 demonstrated that they are much more than a beloved nostalgia act. The new songs stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the classics, while the band’s infectious energy and musicianship never wavered. In an era when many reunion tours simply revisit the past, Haircut 100 continues to move forward with creativity, confidence, and style. As the final notes echoed through the Teragram Ballroom and the audience reluctantly made its way toward the exits, one thing became abundantly clear: some bands don’t just recapture old magic. They create new memories to stand beside it.
(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue)
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