On a crisp autumn evening, fittingly Tom Petty’s birthday, the Tom Petty Preservation Society turned the intimate Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre into a celebration of one of rock’s most beloved songwriters. The venue was rammed packed, the kind of shoulder-to-shoulder crowd where excitement hums before the first chord even rings out.

From the opening bars of “Everything That’s Rock and Roll’s Fine,” it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical tribute act. There were no wigs, costumes, or forced mimicry, just a band of seasoned musicians honouring Petty’s legacy with authenticity, heart, and world-class musicianship.

Frontman Robert Cox led the charge with a voice that carried that unmistakable lived-in texture Petty was known for — nailing it without ever sounding like a forced impersonation. Between songs, Cox peppered the set with trivia and light-hearted crowd banter: from which Tom Petty song featured in a video game (“Love Is a Long Road” in GTA VI, and “Runnin’ Down a Dream” in GTA: San Andreas), to stories about Petty’s collaborations. The conversation added warmth and intimacy to an already close-knit gig.

Musically, the band was impeccable. Dan Arnold’s guitar solos were packed with energy and style, capturing Mike Campbell’s spirit while adding his own flair. Ewan Smith on keys proved to be a great addition, filling out the sound beautifully and giving every song extra depth. The rhythm section, with Phil Harrison on bass and Mike Smith on drums, was a powerhouse, locking in with a tight groove that nailed the propulsive energy essential to Petty’s music. No surprise, given Mike’s impressive history performing with artists like Chuck Berry, Wayne Fontana, and The Shangri-Las, as well as his appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.

The setlist was a lovingly curated trip through Petty’s catalogue: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “The Waiting,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Refugee,” and more. Their three-part harmonies were particularly striking on “Learning to Fly” and “Free Fallin’,” sounding so true to the originals that you could almost believe you were hearing The Heartbreakers themselves.

Midway through, Cox paused to acknowledge Petty’s birthday, raising a smile and a few drinks from the crowd before launching into another classic. At one point, after a tight and punchy rendition of “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” a fellow audience member leaned over and simply said, “That was tight.” It summed up the night perfectly.

They closed the main set with “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” before returning for a raucous encore: “American Girl” and a gorgeous, harmony-rich “Free Fallin’.”

What set this show apart wasn’t just the accuracy or technical polish, though both were superb. It was the spirit. The Tom Petty Preservation Society don’t just perform his songs; they inhabit them. And in doing so, they reminded everyone in that packed little room why Petty’s music still means so much.

Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre – Monday, 20th October 2025: Setlist

Everything That’s Rock and Roll’s Fine, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, You Don’t Know How It Feels, The Waiting, Breakdown, I Won’t Back Down, Don’t Do Me Like That, Century City, Even the Losers, Handle With Care, Listen to Her Heart, Learning to Fly, Refugee, Runnin’ Down a Dream, Encore: American Girl, Free Fallin’

There were no wigs, costumes, or forced mimicry, just a band of seasoned musicians honouring Petty’s legacy with authenticity, heart, and world-class musicianship.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.