HRH XVII 2024
When – 6th/7th/8th/9th November
Where – Great Yarmouth
Day 3 – Friday 8th November
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
If you’ve not been to Hard Rock Hell before, and I haven’t, it is held at a holiday park in Great Yarmouth in November. With a few package deals to choose from and around thirty-five bands playing, it is a great way to expand your musical tastes and meet like minded people.
Friday at Hard Rock Hell Festival has me looking forward to a full day of music that is on two stages that have a few clashes. I planned my day so I could catch at least some of each band and as the stages were just a room apart this made it easier to do.
Bands
Molly Karloff
Poole Vigilantes
Sweet Electric
Mikey Ball and the Company
Bai Bang
Stay Safe
S.O.R.M.
Not Now Norman
Black Rainbows
Allehackbar
Black Rain
White Skies
Nashville Pussy
Adam and the Hellcats
There were fourteen talented bands performing today, with each bringing a unique slice of the genre, ranging from punk rock’s rebellious grit to the deep raw power of heavy metal there is nothing not to like. The lineup is packed with personalities, and each band offers their own blend of charisma, musical style, and stage presence, keeping the crowd engaged and eagerly waiting for each set.
As the day begins, the audience gathers and it’s not long before the first band hits the stage, setting the tone for the day.
Molly Karloff is a favourite band of mine that just get better and better each time I see them. Their songs are punchy and energetic, and each one stands out on its own merit. Singing songs such as ‘She Said,’ their new single ‘Cult of Personality’ and finishing off with a great cover of Alice in Chains, ‘Man in a Box,’ that just gives you a flavour of their influences, there is nothing not to like about this band.
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Molly Karloff – Cult of Personality
They are followed by the Poole Vigilantes who sang songs from their great debut album ‘In the City of Lies’ with a more classic rock feel. This band have been around for a good few years and are highly polished at what they do.
Poole Vigilantes – Broken Wings
Next up were the very funny, charismatic Sweet Electric. How could you not be smiling with singer, Brad Marr, dressed in a gold suit and baseball cap running up and down the stage? However, it’s the brilliant upbeat songs that the band produce that gets you involved with what’s happening on stage. Check out their debut album ‘The Monsters are Rising,’ it’s a belter.
Sweet Electric – Hard Times
Mikey Ball and the Company also have a debut album to their name called ‘Through the Night,’ they showcased some of the tracks from it today and I feel it has earned them a lot of new fans, me included. There is a mix of great melodic songs, some laidback, some foot stompers and rousing anthems, I’ve just downloaded the album after hearing them and I recommend you do too.
Mikey Ball and the Company – Runnin’
Sweden’s Bai Bang are up next and stand out in their white attire, with a sea of black clad rockers watching on. With a mix of glam, sleaze and melodic rock they have it covered. It is clear to me that they’re having the best time, and their enjoyment is matched by the crowd’s enthusiasm and cheering.
Bai Bang – Everybody Everywhere
Each band takes advantage of their time on stage, giving everything they’ve got, and Stay Safe are no different. I love their pop punk vibe as they sing a mix of new tunes and some of their singles. I’d be more than happy to go and see them again at any gig or festival.
Stay Safe – Somehow (ft As December Falls)
With no let up in the music, the bands just keep on coming and next are heavy metal rockers S.O.R.M. With a fast-paced set that showcased their album ‘Under My Skin’
and singing songs such as the title track, ‘Crazy, and ‘I Die for my Rock n’ Roll they had the crowd cheering and enjoying their set.
S.O.R.M. – I Die for My Rock n’ Roll
It was back to Stage two for another helping of Not Now Norman who again had a great crowd, which is testament as to how good they are. The band sang some of my favourite songs, which had me foot stomping away. Songs such as ‘Reintroducing, Who I Am and ‘Why Don’t You Like Me’ are gritty and have oomph under their belt.
Not Now Norman – Who I Am
Black Rainbows are next and bring a different feel to proceedings with their psychedelic rock tunes. They take me right back to the seventies with their punchy songs and energy. Considering the singer had lost his voice, he, and the rest of the band managed to do themselves proud.
BlAck Rainbows – Superhero Dopeproof
Allehackbar are a brilliant three-piece punk band that had a seventeen-hour journey from Germany to get to HRH, all to play for forty minutes. But boy was it worth it for the punters who lapped up their performance as they rocked the room. Each song hitting the punk spot perfectly, with a chainsaw wielding maniac thrown in for good measure.
Allehackbar – Hard Rock
The day is progressing at an alarming rate, and there are only four bands left to play. Next onto the stage is Black Rain with their 80’s rock feel that is the backbone of rock music. From France, they rocked out some belter anthems that wouldn’t go amiss on any festival stage. Asking the crowd to jump at a song called ‘Demon’ the audience duly obliged. At one point they rolled out ‘Mr Christ’ to sort out the sinners………I think he may still be there!!
BlackRain- Untamed
White Skies then took up the rock mantle and run with it, playing to a room full of their fans as they delivered their AOR/melodic rock set. Singing some new material as well as ‘Black Tide,’ ‘Takin a Ride’ and my favourite single ‘If This Is It,’ with its James Bond feel to it, they smashed it.
White Skies – If This Is It
So, before I know it, it’s down to the headliners for both stages, kicking off in style with Adam and the Hellcats. What a band, if it’s fun and great singalong songs you’re after, and who isn’t, they are your must see band. With Cirwen’s cat ears in place, they all strutted about the stage having the best time, as their songs hit the spot. With audience participation a must, they had every chorus sung back to them from a crowd that danced, nodded and enjoyed the whole experience.
Adam and the Hellcats – Peace Love and Rock n’ Roll
Everyone heads to Stage one for American band, Nashville Pussy who take to the stage with Ruyter holding a bottle of Jack Daniels. This tells me that they are well lubricated and ready to blast the audience with a barrage of sleazy rock tunes. They pummel the audience with songs that cover decades, including songs like ‘Go Motherf*cker Go’ from 1998 to ‘PillBilly Blues’ from their 2021 Album ‘Eaten Alive’ and everything in between.
There’s a real sense of connection between the band and the crowd, it’s not just about the music, but the shared experience. Every fan here is invested in Nashville Pussy as they take them on a rollercoaster ride for over an hour and a half. What a fantastic way to end day three of the festival.
Nashville Pussy – She Keeps Me Coming, And I Keep Going Back
One more day to go as I head off to bed, ignoring the calls to the after party that has Dirty Mitts and Syteria playing until nearly 2am in the morning. This is definitely one for the diehards, of which I am definitely not one.
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