Where – The Brickyard, Carlisle
When – 6th/7th February 26
Day One – Friday
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
There’s something special about a well-organised grassroots weekender, and from the moment the doors opened at The Brickyard in Carlisle, it was clear this one was going to deliver. Upstaged Ltd have carved out a reputation for putting genuine care into their line-ups, championing bands who live and breathe the scene while keeping ticket prices realistic. The result is a weekend that feels welcoming, exciting, and full of musical discovery.
Kicking off at 4.00pm, the opening slot went to Roxy and the Lockhearts, and they wasted no time in setting the tone. Bursting onto the stage with high-energy rock music, they played like a band determined to make their mark with their first gig. The crowd responded warmly, feeding off the band’s enthusiasm and giving them the encouragement every debut deserves.
One of the highlights of their set was ‘Run’, introduced with a playful warning about not getting married in Vegas, a line that instantly sparked curiosity and suggested there’s more to the story behind the song. Their debut single, ‘Rip n’ Tear’, released last year, proved to be another crowd-pleaser, bringing movement to the floor and showing off the band’s knack for punchy, upbeat songwriting. There’s a strong sense of direction here, and it’ll be interesting to see how they grow as the year unfolds.
Adding extra flair to the band’s performance were The Lost Girls, a troupe of dancers well known within the grassroots rock community. Their presence brought an added visual dynamic to the set, clearly relishing every moment on stage and amplifying the sense of celebration in the room. A cracking way to kick things off.
Roxy & the Lockhearts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roxyandthelockhearts
The Lost Girls
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Next came To Nowhere, a band I already think is something special. From the opening moments, their sound was instantly identifiable, anchored by Robbie’s distinctive vocal delivery. While the whole band plays with purpose and cohesion, his tone and range give the songs a character that’s hard to miss. Playing songs that included tracks from their brilliant Violent Kicks & Dirty Sounds EP, the set was
packed with grungy hard rock tunes that pulled people towards the front and kept heads nodding throughout.
With their new line-up now firmly in place, the band also introduced a couple of new tracks, the first to be written in this current formation. Rather than sticking out, they blended naturally with the rest of the set, suggesting a smooth transition into this next chapter. The response around the room said it all, with plenty of chatter afterwards praising the band’s intensity and authenticity.
To Nowhere
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonowhereband
By this point, the atmosphere inside The Brickyard was building nicely, and anticipation was high for the next band. Personally, I’ve been counting down to this one for weeks.
Anti-Clone did not disappoint. From the moment they hit the stage, they brought a sense of drama and confidence that grabbed the room instantly. Their sound is bold and fully realised, combining industrial heaviness with sharp songwriting that feels both dark and theatrical. Comparisons to Marilyn Manson are easy to make, but Anti-Clone stand firmly on their own feet.
Lead singer Pete commanded the crowd with ease, working the room and keeping everyone mesmerised from start to finish. The band’s visual aesthetic, including make-up, movement, and stage presence, added another layer to the performance without ever feeling forced. ‘God Nothing’ from the Inhuman EP stood out as a particular highlight, landing with real impact. This set just left me wanting more and is another reminder of just how strong the current grassroots scene really is.
Anti-Clone
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnticloneHQ
With the energy levels high, a quick trip to the bar followed before settling back in for a band who have only recently caught my attention.
I first saw Dead Zebras last year at Rockmantic Grimsby, and that performance clearly made a lasting impression, strong enough to earn them a spot on this bill. Drawing heavily from an ’80s-inspired rock sound, they brought a feel-good atmosphere that spread effortlessly through the venue.
Smiles were everywhere, with people bouncing along and fully embracing their set. They blended in a handful of well-chosen covers with their own material, showing that Dead Zebras have a great understanding of how to read a crowd and have a great time.
Thankfully, there’s not a long wait to see them again, as they’re set to appear at the Upstaged Trailblazer event on 27th/28th February at The Corporation in Sheffield, and it’s already firmly marked in my diary.
Dead Zebras
Facebook: https://www.facebook
Events like this highlight just how strong and diverse the grassroots circuit really is and how much care has gone into bringing these bands together under one roof.
The sense of occasion continued with Manørs, whose set carried extra emotional weight as it marked Ellen’s final performance as vocalist. From the outset, the band played with intensity and purpose, clearly determined to give the crowd something memorable. Even when a few technical issues cropped up, nothing disrupted their momentum.
Their blend of melody and full-throttle aggression landed with real force, filling the room with more energy, as if it wasn’t overflowing already. Ellen’s presence was magnetic, pacing the stage relentlessly, kicking the air, and pouring everything into each song. The set drew from their back catalogue, with new single ‘Early Grave’ standing out as a particularly powerful moment that seemed to shake the building. A genuinely unforgettable performance. Ellen will be missed, but there’s also a strong sense of anticipation about where Manørs heads next.
Manors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553017149071
As the day was flying by, there was still plenty left in the tank. Wailing Banshee took to the stage next, much to the delight of the heavy metal faithful. Leaning into classic influences with a strong Iron Maiden feel, they delivered soaring guitar lines, a solid rhythm section, and commanding vocals from Dani, whose range impressed throughout the set.
Tracks like ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘Silence’ from last year’s Worlds Apart EP stood out, alongside their more recent single ‘Tempest’, which went down a storm. This was a set built for fist-pumping and headbanging, and the crowd responded accordingly.
Wailing Banshee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wailingbansheeofficial
Closing out the night was Trucker Diablo, and they did exactly what a headline act should. Bursting onto the stage with their fantastic new single ‘Midknife Crisis’, followed swiftly by ‘Party Like They Started’, they had the room firmly in their grasp from the start. Loud, energetic, and delivered with bags of confidence, their set never let up.
Hailing from Ireland, Trucker Diablo have long been favourites on the grassroots circuit, and this performance showed exactly why. Packed with big hooks, infectious energy, and plenty of cheeky banter, they tore through their set with the kind of
commitment that leaves a lasting impression on everyone there. A perfect way to close out the Friday night of Rockmantic Weekender.
With day one wrapped up, it was back to the hotel, exhausted, buzzing, and already counting down to doing it all again on day two.
Trucker Diablo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRUCKERDIABLO
Upstaged Ltd put on various events throughout the year, including the Call of the Wild Festival, Rockmantic Weekender Grimsby, Rockmantic Weekender Carlisle, and Trailblazer, The Corporation in Sheffield. To find out more about these events and buy tickets, check out their website at https://www.upstagedlimited.com
The Brickyard, Carlisle, has music events all year round. To find out more, check out their website https://www.thebrickyardonline.com
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