Now that we’re in May, we’re closing in fast on Call of the Wild and we’re going to be back for another year! So we’re getting to know as many of the bands set to play the Trailblazer Stage in 2026 that we can pin down. Holyrude Vault play the Saturday.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We hail From Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Me and Connell have played guitar together since we were kids! But, Holyrude Vault, we started back in the summer of ’21, Chris Joined in 2022, and Christian and Nick Joined in early 2024.
Where does the name of the band come from?
Josh: Holyrude Vault” is an amalgamation of a couple of ideas Con and I were throwing around. “Holyrude” is a bastardisation of “Holyrood” as in The Royal Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh. “Vault” comes from the underground vaults beneath Edinburgh’s South Bridge… where crime, illegal drinking dens and prostitution called it home.
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Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Connell: Our style is straight up raw and energetic. It’s no bullshit rock and roll for the soul.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Christian: Full of catchy songs and loaded with swagger. It’s like a visit to the Sunset Strip and we are taking you there in skanky first class.
Have you been to Call of the Wild before? What did you think?
Christian: CotW is a killer festival. It’s rock and roll all the way, it’s a chance to catch bands of all levels on the same level. Leave the ego at home and bring all the clan!
Can you put into 10 words or fewer how it felt when you realised you were heading to Call of the Wild?
Chris: It was an epic feeling making it this far, especially knowing the high standard of other bands that we were competing against for a chance to play Call Of The Wild .
What sort of setlist can we expect?
Chris: As always, our set will be full of huge riffs and bigger drums, gritty vocals and pounding bass. We are throwing some brand new songs into the set, too.
Stage times haven’t been announced yet, so which other band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play
One band I’m really looking forward to seeing is the Saturday night headliners Onslaught. Thrash metal is a genre I’ve grown up with and been influenced by my whole life so getting to see a band from the early British scene will be fantastic.
What are you working on at the moment?
We are currently gearing our new EP, Skin and Bones, for release in June. It sounds huge!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Connell: Stumbled onto the stage at La Belle Angele, just managed the show then filled the booth with sick and blacked out for the entire festival
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
Nick: I’m a big IPA and real ale fan so I always try to find a new beer preferably from the area that I haven’t tried yet to get me warmed up. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a neat Jack Daniel’s.
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Call of the Wild Festival 2026 takes place 28th – 31 May and remaining tickets are on sale here.
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