NWOCR LIVEFEST 2 / KKS STEEL MILL – Day 1 23/9/23
Richard Brindley and his crew certainly know how to whet your appetite for their events, the build up for NWOCR LIVEFEST 2 has been enormous. This long awaited and epic occasion has finally arrived and judging by the amount of folk in KK’s at 2pm, it’s going to be a scorcher. LIVEFEST 2 also coincides with the launch of the NWOCR Volume 2 compilation CD, which was released on September 22nd and many of the bands appearing over the weekend, have songs on the double CD package that has over 40 tracks. There’s a whole pile of NWOCR Merch to be found on the Website including that collectable Tea Towel !
https://eyesoremerch.com/bands/n/new-wave-of-classic-rock/?sort=bestselling
It’s nice to see so many friends involved and the stage crew are mainly local guys who have given up their time for this festival, Brett Hall, Doddy White, Phil Archer and of course Nigel Poole are among those keeping everything moving. Our compère for the weekend is Pete K Mally, who along with edited excerpts from his books, ensures every band is introduced with massive enthusiasm.
GALLOWS CIRCUS – Are all the way from Kent and have been in existence since 2016. It’s good to see Ian Day and company again and what a band to open up day 1. Heavy dirty riffs with those wavering vocals, they have a sound that’s unbelievably tasteful, no wonder they were listed as Planet Rocks ‘Ones to Watch’ in 2018. To date they have released two EP’s and the set is made up of tracks from both, 2017 right up to date. ‘Faith To Believe’ warms us up and ‘Game On’, ‘Hunt You Down’ and ‘Medicine Man’ are all favourites of mine. The outstanding ‘Bring Your Crucifix’ just destroys me, then they end with ‘Hells Whiskey’ which features on the NWOCR CD. Head over to the very helpful WEBSITE that provides links to the merch and all you need to know about the band.
Gallows Circus
BRAVE RIVAL – Bursting onto the scene of late, this band from the South East embark on a lengthy UK tour in October. A mix of Blues and AOR fronted by dual vocalists Chloe and Lindsey, they certainly don’t lack spirit. ‘Run And Hide’ is a perfect start, fast flowing and full of harmonies. Running around the stage and maintaining those smiles takes effort, but the pair manage it throughout the set. More tracks from the recent EP ‘The Church Sessions’ like ‘Guilty Love’ and ‘What’s Your Name Again’. Then a new song ’Stars’ and tracks from the album ‘Lifes Machine’ are played with some really decent guitar seeping in-between the lyrics. Even a bit of slide was added and the bassist had a five string with flashing lights, that has to be the best I’ve seen since Billy Sheehans a few years ago. There’s plenty of joking and fun during the performance including Lindsey pointing out her T-shirt with ‘Do You Want Some More’ in Black Country dialect. Join as a patreon via this Link if you want to support Brave Rival.
Brave Rival
WHITE RAVEN DOWN It’s 4pm already and time for the NWOCR legends from Essex. One of the most hard working of crews and the friendliest of bands, it’s easy to see why these three have such a massive following. From the brilliant ‘Don’t Shoot The Messenger’ album, ‘Mind Reader’, ‘All Day Long’ and ‘Lost Your Hold’ are highlights amongst the riffing. We are enticed to sing along, clap and join in at every opportunity, Stu Bailey has become an incredible frontman over this last year or so, he can get the whole room involved. The smoke and sparklers shoot out from the front of the stage during the set that includes ’Take Me’ which is one of their first singles. Sadly Stu wasn’t feeling too great, as he was recovering from a throat infection, so they cut it a bit short, however, it didn’t take anything away from their storming show. There are still dates this year and they return to Wolverhampton on December 16th at The Giffard. Find out more and about joining ‘The Conspiracy’ on the WEBSITE
White Raven Down
BETH BLADE AND THE BEAUTIFUL DISASTERS Always a delight to see Beth Blade, she puts all her energy into every show and has so much charm about her. Quite a few off the last album ‘Myths,Confessions, Tragedies & Love’ which is two years old now. After opening with the force that is ‘Tonight I’m With You’ and the firm favourite ‘Give It All You’ve Got’ from ‘Show Me Your Teeth’, there’s a trio from ‘Myths’, ‘Undo Me’ is a powerful number, with grinding guitar and then ‘Persephone’ raises the level, so many variations on one track. ‘Hold Your Heart’ is subtle, gentle and totally mesmerising. I recommend getting this latest album, it’s immaculate. ‘Down And Dirty’ is an older song from the 2017 album ‘Bad Habit’ but still sounds as robust. ‘Show Me your Teeth’ is represented again with ‘I Ain’t Got Nothing ( If I Ain’t Got Rock and Roll )’ which is a banger of a track and finally the heavily pounding ‘Jack And Coke’ dedicated to Lemmy, naturally. Follow Beth on socials and the WEBSITE to keep up to date.
Beth Blade + The Beautiful Disasters
THE KARMA EFFECT It’s no secret that I love this band, I’ve told everyone I know. The self titled debut album was one of the best releases last year and it hasn’t lost any of its shine over the months. As they land on stage, there’s an instant lift in the KK’s atmosphere, this band from London have the appeal of The Answer and Black Crowes rolled up in a cosmic carpet of hippy tripping and Southern rock and roll. About to embark on their ‘Promised Land’ UK headline tour, shows how much they have grown since they formed in 2020. They’ve already supported Massive Wagons on sold out shows, appeared at renown Rock Festivals like Steelhouse, Love Rocks, Call Of The Wild and Stonedead. And of course their track ‘Mercy’ is on the new NWOCR Vol 2 CD. After ‘Wrong Again’ and the fantastic ‘Doubt She’s Coming Back’ which has to be one of the top catchy numbers of the weekend. Then we get to ‘Mercy’ dig in and get those sultry vocals of Henry Gottelier in your face. ‘The River’ rips up the floorboards with its hook and watch the smartly outfitted Seb Emmins on Keys, he’s so unbelievably cool. ‘Stand’ delves into more melancholy vibes for a turnaround and then they get us joining in with our hands in the air for ‘Promised Land’ and the finale ‘Testify’. Superb performance from the new kings of Groove. There’s a Crowd Funder up for album 2, which you can find on the WEBSITE where there’s also more details about the band.
The Karma Effect are: Henry Gottelier – lead vocals and guitar, Robbie Blake – guitar, Seb Emmins – keyboards & vocals, Liam Quinn – bass, Ash Powell – drums & vocals.
The Karma Effect
DEVILFIRE As Lars Wickett stands high on his drums, he gets us to start clapping for the emergence of the rest of his band. Alex Cooper with his long black hair and cowboy hat , definitely looks like a rock and roll icon, as they launch into ‘A thousand Times’ and ‘(You Gotta) Revolution’ both from the ‘Dark Manoeuvres’ release of 2017. They have to follow the energetic Karma Effect and it’s not an easy task, but by the time we reach ‘Chasing The Pain’ ( which Eric Dover of Jellyfish fame, contributed to on the ‘Black Soul Vendetta’ album) they have a mass of people in front of them. I really liked the last long player which ‘Sell My Soul’ and the adhering ‘Dream Evil’ are also features. There are a few glitches with the equipment but they are soon resolved as they roll into ‘She’s Like Fire’ which is their contribution to the NWOCR CD. With loads of thanks and a hint of a new album, Alex bids us farewell and they bow out with ‘Waiting For A rock Star’. Despite living all around the country, Alex says the band are as strong as ever and are planning for the future, so head over to their socials and WEBSITE for more info as it drops.
Devilfire are – Alex Cooper – vocals. Baz Blackett – guitars. Kieran Topp – guitars . Jay Downes – bass. Lars Wickett – drums
Devilfire
EMPYRE If you haven’t seen these guys from the Northampton area yet, don’t be alarmed by the ‘booing’ from the audience. It’s a lighthearted attack and in-house joke, regarding the high level of moodiness that Empyre emit. They even laugh and encourage the fans to participate in hurling abuse. That aside this band are something else altogether, I want them to write a song for a ‘James Bond’ film, they have that kind of pure strength and intensity. There has been a load of praise for the new ‘Relentless’ album and they introduce themselves tonight with several tracks from it, beginning with ‘Waking Light’ wow, the room has a chill in the air with a capacity crowd. Henrik Steenholdt is a unique frontman, not only having a noble presence, his voice is breathtakingly majestic. We actually stand in awe as they proceed with the immense raptures of ‘Parasites’ and ‘Cry Wolf’ which are like extracts from a Rock Symphony. We venture back to the ‘Self Aware’ album of 2019, for ‘Only Way Out’ and Henrik’s wails immediately capture our attention. It’s softly put together and remains one of their best tracks. The title track off ‘Relentless’ follows then they resume with older numbers, the epic ‘Homegrown’ and finally ‘New Republic’, reminding me what a tremendous album ‘Self Aware’ is. No wonder they are held in such high regard, that was one colossal performance. Head over to the WEBSITE , apart from all the regular info, you can subscribe to their newsletter and get a free 5 track download, which I did, thanks guys. Let the booing and jeering long continue !
Empyre are – Henrik Steenholdt – Vocals/ Guitar . Did Coles – Lead Guitar. Grant Hockley – Bass & Elliot Bale – Drums.
Empyre
THE TREATMENT Hey ‘Let’s Get Dirty’ Tom Rampton shrieks as the headliners strut onto the stage. It’s just the first song and the KK’s faithful are singing, old, young and those in-between, all unable to resist the instantly recognisable chorus. That’s what ‘The Treatment’ do, they entangle you in their world of bulldozing Rock and Roll, so you become part of the family. The brothers Grey, lunge and race around the floor, hitting riff after riff, ‘Vampress’, the unstoppable ‘Wrong Way’ and Bite Back’ all thrown at us without any remorse, we are totally in their grip and it’s brilliant. As we hear ‘Running With The Dogs’ and ‘The Doctor’ I note what timeless albums both ‘This Might Hurt’ and ‘Power Crazy’ are. Tom takes time to thank everyone and they raise the roof with ‘Shake The Mountain’ it’s clear, no other band can get the whole room bouncing like these Cambridgeshire rockers. Mix up that AC/DC punchiness with a classic rock theme and you discover where this band find their roots. ‘Let’s Get The Party On’ ends the main set but after a few minutes they return to encore with ‘Devil In the Detail’ and ‘Rat Race’. Absolutely killed it, what a band and they are so approachable, as they meet up with the many fans and friends at the merch desk afterwards. Go to the social pages, grab the back catalogue, see them on stage and join the fan page HERE . There’s a special Christmas gig coming up as well.
The Treatment are – Tom Rampton – Vocals, Tagore Grey – Guitar, Tao Grey – Guitar, Andy Milburn – Bass & Dhani Mansworth – Drums.
The Treatment
The Treatment
Perfect first day at NWOCR LIVEFEST 2, all went to plan and every band put 100% effort into making it so special. Thanks to all the crew, staff at KK’s, RPM and the organisers. Also special thanks to all the friends I bumped into including Helen Biggs, Sharon Crosby, Mark Parsley and of course Richard Brindley and a big thank you to all those people down the front who let me take photos of the set lists they had grabbed, you are all awesome.
Photo credit and big thanks to Lisa Billingham of Billibee Creative Photography, the full gallery is on the MMH website HERE
Review of Day 2 coming up soon.
