Where – Yardbirds, Grimsby
When – 14th/15th November 25
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
Saturday 15th November 25
Day Two at the Rockmantic Weekender at the Yardbirds in Grimsby had a lot to live up to after such a strong opening day yesterday. Five fantastic bands set the bar high and left people chatting, comparing notes, and debating their favourites. Today we’re treated to seven bands, and I’m looking forward to every single one of them. Some I already know and love; others I’m seeing live for the first time, which is my favourite mix, because it’s exactly how I’ve discovered so many brilliant bands over the years.
Kicking things off, Paradise Sins take to the stage, announcing it’s their first time in Grimsby before launching straight into their set. They immediately grab your attention with their melodic rock sound and present themselves perfectly. With a couple of EPs behind them, they deliver songs I warmed to straight away, songs such as Love Like Hell with its smooth melodic run and Bad, Bad, Bad, which brings a grittier edge and a bit more attitude while still keeping that strong melodic core. Midway through the set, The Lost Girls join them on stage to dance and add a fun extra dimension. Paradise Sins leave the stage having won over the room, but it’s not hard to be a fan.
Dead Zebras are up next and bring a full-on 80s vibe with them; they are fun and instantly entertaining. They throw into their set a couple of covers, getting the crowd involved early, and there’s a proper party atmosphere from the off. When the bass player asks the sound desk to turn down the guitar, everyone laughs, and the band keep that cheeky tone going throughout. I don’t know why, but something about them just made me smile non-stop, which was probably unsettling for those standing around me. Their second-last track, Heartbreaker, with its playful “nah nah nah nahs” for crowd participation, had me in my element because I actually knew the words. They wrap up with All Night Long, proving themselves hilarious, charismatic, and impossible not to enjoy. I loved them, and I can’t wait to see them again. George ends the set with: “You just got fucked by the Dead Zebras,” and I’ll leave that statement hanging right there.
Liberty Slaves follow and are one of my favourite bands, who, just like Dead Zebras, know exactly how to bring the party to the party. Their songs are packed with energy, the kind that gets you tapping, nodding, and moving before you’ve even realised it. Ryan is a charismatic frontman, funny without even trying, but the whole band oozes that old-school rock ’n’ roll spirit. Standout songs include Heavens Above, Ain’t That a Bitch, and Losing My Touch. But truthfully, there isn’t a filler in their set, with every track hitting the spot and lifting the room. They finish with Never Enough, and it definitely wasn’t enough, because I could happily watch Liberty Slaves for hours.
The first three bands get the day off to a cracking start, with the momentum already sitting at a solid ten out of ten.
There is no let-up in the music, and I’d been looking forward to seeing Victory or Die since first seeing them at Rockwich festival in the summer, and they came out swinging right from the start. No messing, just heavy rock ’n’ roll with a punky edge that hits hard. They open with New Rock Revolution, followed by I Lose Control, hammering each one out with a driving beat that makes standing still impossible, and judging by the movement around me,
I wasn’t the only one feeling that. The energy stayed high throughout, every track powerful and full of bite, exactly as I remembered them. They end on The Death Squad, finishing with the drummer smashing a huge gong and bringing the whole room reluctantly back down to earth.
The night is passing at an alarming speed, which is always a sign of a good time, and next up is an absolute belter of a band who keep up that momentum.
I first saw Moskito right here at Yardbirds two years ago, and they absolutely tore the place apart back then. They’re a band you can’t pigeonhole, as they are eclectic, intense, and completely do their own thing, and tonight they prove exactly why they stand out. From the moment they hit the stage, their angst-driven sound took over the room, pulling everyone in whether they wanted to be involved or not.
As the set unfolded, their music shifted, twisted, and morphed in ways that kept you hooked. Subtle changes at first, then bolder turns later on, until comparing the opening track to the closing one felt like listening to two different bands but with the same underlying beast that runs through the whole thing: power, emotion, rawness, and that chaotic edge that makes them so gripping live.
With songs like Clinomania, Killing Joke, Thrill Seeker, Satisfaction, and a fierce finish with STFU, the room was fully invested. The barrier crowd sang every word while the rest bounced and moved behind them, completely swept up in it. Moskito were on top form, and if you get the chance to see them, I suggest you grab it, as they’re one of those bands you need to witness for yourself.
This weekend has quickly become one of the highlights of the year for me, with the calibre of bands on the bill. Up next is a band I’ve been desperate to see, having heard nothing but praise about their live shows.
Enter Bullets and Octane, oh my god! They exploded onto the stage and blew the venue apart within the first few minutes. Tight, energetic, in-your-face songs that leave you staring at the stage, hypnotised. Another band who bring the party and then crank it up even further.
Gene jumps off the stage and becomes part of the crowd, dancing, spinning, and getting people singing with him. His energy is unreal, and I’m still reeling from it. While he’s weaving through the audience, the rest of the band remain razor-sharp on stage, delivering upbeat, punk-infused rock with absolute precision. A cheeky nod to Nirvana, Led Zeppelin and 4 Non-Blondes fuels the fire even more.
Once the set ends, the room is exhausted and buzzing, and half the crowd are looking around as if to ask, “What just happened?” You simply have to experience Bullets and Octane.
CJ Wildheart closes Day Two, and he’s every bit the charismatic, seasoned performer you expect him to be. With a long list of albums and singles behind him, he brings an eclectic mix of upbeat, punky rock that has me dancing from the first chord.
The room fills with catchy hooks, sharp riffs, and a warm, confident presence that only someone with his history can deliver. His seventeen-song set showcases mostly material from the albums Slots, Split, and Lines, but he also gives the crowd a treat with Go Away from his Honeycrack days, which I loved. He finishes with I Wanna Go from his Wildhearts era, rounding things off beautifully. When he announces that he’ll be taking a couple of years away from music, it suddenly feels even more special to have seen him tonight.
What a fantastic day that was overflowing with talent, with every band bringing their own style and energy. I loved it from start to finish.
And that’s it for the Rockmantic Weekender in Grimsby for another year. What a weekend, and one that genuinely deserves your support if you love your rock music.
The next Rockmantic Weekender is in The Brickyard, Carlisle, on Fri/Sat 6th/7th February 2026.
Some of the bands playing include Trucker Diablo, The Karma Effect, Manørs, Kit Trigg, Anti Clone, Hell’s Ditch, Prymå, Dead Zebras, and Soho Dukes.
There’s every chance your new favourite band is amongst them, so grab a ticket. Check out their Facebook page for more details.
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