It is July 1993 and I am sitting in a field in Long Marston, near Stratford-upon-Avon, enjoying lots of great bands with my (newly acquired) girlfriend at the inaugural Phoenix Festival. Among the great and the good of hot musical talent on offer were Manic Street Preachers, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sonic Youth, and Faith … Continue reading Gig Review: The Young Gods – The Garage, Highbury, London (30th October 2025)
Author: SteveD
Musical explorer, proofreader, bookkeeper, chicken whisperer
Gig Review: Wednesday 13 / Fearless Vampire Killers / The Nocturnal Affair – The Chalk, Brighton (30th July 2025)
What better way to help you get over hump day than a triple-header of horror-themed rock bands? Judging by the great and the good spotted passing through tonight’s crowd—including members of Seething Akira and South of Salem—the promise of some kick-ass horror-punk seemed to be the answer to that question. Bring on Wednesday 13’s Summer … Continue reading Gig Review: Wednesday 13 / Fearless Vampire Killers / The Nocturnal Affair – The Chalk, Brighton (30th July 2025)
Festival Review: Hammerdown Festival 2025 Day 2 – The Chalk & Dust, Brighton (20th July 2025)
I just made it across town for Monochrome’s vocal sound check at the Dust, and if that was anything to go by, then I knew we were in for a treat. Hailing from the West Country, this metalcore five-piece play a slightly alt but hard-hitting take on melodic metal. The singer’s impressive clean vocals and … Continue reading Festival Review: Hammerdown Festival 2025 Day 2 – The Chalk & Dust, Brighton (20th July 2025)
Festival Review: Hammerdown Festival 2025 Day 1 – The Chalk & Dust, Brighton (19th July 2025)
From its small beginnings in Danehill Village Hall (nee ‘Pitch Up Festival’) about 9 years ago, Hammerdown has slowly grown into its current form: a two day, two venue extravaganza of rock and metal, showcasing new talent as well as NWOBHM stalwarts. This year sees Brighton’s Dust and The Chalk hosting 36 bands, with one … Continue reading Festival Review: Hammerdown Festival 2025 Day 1 – The Chalk & Dust, Brighton (19th July 2025)
Gig Review: Battlesnake / DZ Deathrays / Mannequin Death Squad – The Chalk, Brighton (8th July 2025)
This evening effectively served as an Australian take-over of The Chalk in Brighton, with three exciting bands lined up on the bill. First up were the excellently named Melbourne duo Mannequin Death Squad, who certainly made a lot of noise for a two-piece, and a good noise at that. Featuring Elly and Dan (both on … Continue reading Gig Review: Battlesnake / DZ Deathrays / Mannequin Death Squad – The Chalk, Brighton (8th July 2025)
Festival Review: Takedown Festival 2025 (Day 2) – Portsmouth Guildhall (5th April 2025)
There was an earlier start on Day 2 of Takedown Festival but at least I knew where everything was now and my leg muscle memory kicked in as I started to dart between all the musical goodness on offer across the three stages. From a punter’s point of view, this festival was extremely well organised. … Continue reading Festival Review: Takedown Festival 2025 (Day 2) – Portsmouth Guildhall (5th April 2025)