Where – Yardbirds, Grimsby
When – 14th/15th November 25
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
Friday 14th November, 25
The Yardbirds in Grimsby is well known for its live music scene, and tonight it’s the perfect setting for the first of two nights celebrating some brilliant grassroots rock bands. There’s already a good buzz as people filter in, and you can tell everyone’s ready for a proper night of live music.
Upstaged Ltd are running the show, the same people behind Call Of The Wild Festival who have pulled together a strong line-up, giving each band the chance to shine. With five acts on the bill, it’s very much a “settle in and enjoy the ride” kind of evening.
Ace of Kings
Opening a night like this can be a daunting job, but Ace of Kings walk on like they are more than ready for it. I’d not seen them before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they made their intentions clear from the off. They came in heavy with Watch It Burn and Rebels + Renegades, two tracks that show off exactly what they’re about: solid riffs, tight rhythms, and plenty of energy.
What stood out was how quickly they grabbed the room. Their set moved at a good pace, the band looked confident, and the songs had that instantly engaging quality that pulls your attention in without any fuss. It felt like they wanted to set the bar high for the night, and they absolutely did. A cracking opener and definitely a band I’d like to catch again. I always recommend getting to a venue to see the opening band because that’s where I’ve made a lot of my discoveries.
The Soul Revival
The Soul Revival are fast becoming one of my favourite live acts, simply because every time I see them, they’ve levelled up yet again. Their confidence has grown, and with it their stage presence. Steve, never shy with the mic, encouraged the crowd to move forward, and once they did, the atmosphere lifted instantly. Their sound is heavy, driven and melodic, and it works beautifully in a venue like this.
They tore through their set with conviction. A standout moment came with Heart So Hollow, dedicated to someone they’d lost. It was emotional and heartfelt and showed a more vulnerable side to the band without losing any strength. From there, they picked things back up with Rock Star and Warrior Soul before getting the whole room singing along to Show Me The Right Way, a fan favourite that always gets a reaction.
They closed with Won’t Bring Me Down, which isn’t just a song but a statement of who they are and where they’re heading. With a Christmas single coming soon (a proper song, not a novelty one!), they’re a band very much on the rise.
Takeaway Thieves
Takeaway Thieves brought exactly the kind of spark you want mid-evening: loud, lively, and full of attitude. With The Rev unwell, Josh stepped in for the night and added nicely to the band’s already strong charisma, blending in seamlessly into the group dynamic. They didn’t miss a beat, hitting the stage with confidence and giving the room that unmistakable Takeaway Thieves energy from the off.
The set kept its pace beautifully, with upbeat songs firing out one after another and the crowd happily going along with them. Crazy Horse, dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne, went down well with the audience, but it was their whole performance of their own songs carrying that rock ’n’ roll charm that the crowd loves.
They were entertaining, polished, and full of personality and, as always, a proper crowd-pleaser that added to the night.
Star Circus
Star Circus brought a slightly different feel to the evening, leaning into a melodic rock sound with a touch of old-school charm. They showcased a range of tracks from their recently released album From The Wreckage, giving the audience a good sense of what the new record is all about. Their set had a warm quality, and the vocal harmonies tied everything together nicely.
They included Gina in a Bottle too, not on either album, but a single that fits comfortably into their live set. To round things off, they dipped back into their debut album, Separate Lives, with two familiar tracks that finished their set in style.
This House We Built
This House We Built stepped up for their headline set with the confidence of a band who’ve earned their place. You could feel the shift in the room as people moved closer, clearly ready for them. Their blend of powerful vocals, tight harmonies, and polished musicianship really came through. The guitars were sharp, the rhythm section solid, and the whole set had a great flow.
They opened with Crash and Burn and hit their stride immediately. Scott’s vocals look effortless, but the crowd didn’t hold back either; there were plenty of people singing along to Fair Weather, We Are, We Are and Fly Me to the Moon, amongst others. The band looked like they were enjoying every minute, feeding off the energy in the room and giving it straight back.
One thing they do exceptionally well is create a connection with the crowd. They’re engaging without overdoing it, and that makes their live show feel genuine and warm. Their final song, Coming Home, with the whole band at the front of the stage, was a lovely way to close the night. It felt personal, celebratory, and exactly the sort of moment you want from a headliner. A brilliant finish to a really strong night of live music.
Five bands, five bursts of energy, and plenty of people discovering grassroots bands that truly deserve to be seen. The weekend has got off to a fantastic start, and with another day still to come, I can’t wait to see what it has in store.
+ There are no comments
Add yours