Review: Panchiko Is All We Ever Wanted at ZeyZey Miami!

Jade Read
Oct 5
3 min read

Updated: Oct 20

Owain Davies during Panchiko's ZeyZey Miami Performance (10/5/2025)

In the heart of Little Haiti, an unassuming venue has become a hidden gem for Miami’s music lovers. On October 5, 2025, ZeyZey Miami transformed into a nostalgic meeting ground for Panchiko and young fans as they brought their North American tour to a close. With support from Glixen and the intimate atmosphere ZeyZey is known for, the night was equivalent to the lates 90s parties in all our favorite movies.

The Venue That Redefined the Miami Music Scene:

Circa 2023, a small venue popped up in the center of Little Haiti, Miami called ZeyZey Miami. ZeyZey is far different than most Miami venues. While most focus on packing as many people in as possible, they lets fans enjoy their favorite artists in an intimate, backyard-like setting.

Panchiko could’ve easily played bigger South Florida venues like the Miami Beach Bandshell, Revolution Live, or even Hard Rock Live, but that’s not them. Panchiko is one of the few fan-oriented bands, this was clear when their show sold out almost instantly, a fact they even mentioned on stage. They wanted their fans to experience the night as if they were part of the show, and that meant performing somewhere that felt more like a friend’s backyard than a concert hall.

From Nottingham to Miami: The Evolution of Panchiko:

Panchiko started as most great bands do — with four classmates and a shared love of music. Owain, Andy, Shaun, and John bonded over their love of Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, and Joy Division, channeling those influences into something entirely their own. Calling themselves Panchiko, they burned about 30 CDs of their debut, D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, without realizing they were creating a future underground classic.

Today, they take the stage at ZeyZey Miami, 4,500 miles from Nottingham, where the band was founded and where, years later, a single CD in a charity shop would help revive this hidden gem. On D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, their voices were young, high-pitched, and raw. Now, those same songs are sung with a new voice, showing how the band has matured while keeping the spirit of their youth alive.

Glixen Opening For Panchiko at ZeyZey Miami

Glixen Sets the Tone:

The fans did not disappoint — they were hyped up long before the set even began. As Glixen took the stage, fans focused on frontwoman Aislinn Ritchie and how she would immerse herself into the performance and into the crowd. But this wasn’t just exclusive to her — lead guitarist Esteban Santana leaned in close with the audience and played his heart out for Miami.

After Glixen’s set ended, the venue queued Elliott Smith’s classic “Say Yes,” and fans sang along to the cult favorite. Though Panchiko and Elliott Smith never crossed paths, there was a clear admiration for the late folk singer shared by both the fans and the band, who added him to their playlist.

The band was more than happy to be there, and more than happy to care for their fans, even calling for water for them in the Miami heat. As everyone sang along, it was the perfect way to end a perfect night.

Panchiko's Shaun Ferreday with Avid Fans

Review:

Panchiko ended their North American tour with purpose — a purpose to bring together their fans in an intimate venue while delivering a stadium-worthy performance. This is not the same band from when they were kids, but an evolved version with a new appreciation for the songs they once wrote. They perform them in a way that’s both reminiscent of their past and exceptional. Even with a few sound issues and a plea for water, the band gave the best performance they could — and the fans agreed.

Sonder rates this show 4.5 stars.