Where – The Brickyard, Carlisle
When – 6th/7th February 26
Day Two – Saturday
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
It’s day two of the Rockmantic Weekender, organised by Upstaged Ltd, and after such a brilliant day yesterday (see separate review), I was ready to do it all again. There’s a fantastic mix of bands on the lineup today, so I headed back to The Brickyard to catch the opening act. The atmosphere was already building as people filtered in through the doors and said their hellos.
Retrescrow kicked off the day with a confident blend of covers and original material. For such a young band, they’ve already carved out a clear identity of their own. With their feet firmly planted in heavy classic rock, they brought a solid, no-nonsense sound that instantly warmed up the early crowd. There was no hesitation in their delivery, and you could see how seriously they take their music. Showcasing new material alongside familiar songs, they handled the stage with maturity beyond their years. Retrescrow feel like a band at the beginning of something exciting, and I’m genuinely looking forward to watching them grow and climb higher up the bill.
RetsecroWs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retsecrows
Liberty Slaves were up next, and, as always, they didn’t waste a second. Bringing a bucketload of good old-fashioned dirty rock and roll, the five-piece launched straight in and grabbed the room by the collar. Ryan took centre stage, charming the crowd with his cheeky banter while the rest of the band stayed cool, collected and completely in control musically.
There’s a tightness to Liberty Slaves that makes everything look effortless. They know exactly who they are, and they play to that strength, and the crowd love them for it. The riffs are gritty, the rhythm section drives everything forward, and the atmosphere in the room lifts another notch. I could happily listen to Liberty Slaves all day, and if I ever throw a party, they’re on my list to play. As they left the stage, I looked around to see nothing but a sea of smiles. That says it all.
Liberty Slaves
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertySlaves
Bright Black shifted the tone with their alt-heavy metal sound, and from the first note it was clear they meant business. Led by the powerhouse vocals of Talitha, the band delivered a set that felt both polished and fiercely intense. Alice’s range is phenomenal, soaring from controlled melodic passages to commanding, full-force belts, and she makes it all look effortless.
Behind her, the band built a wall of sound with huge riffs and driving rhythms that perfectly complemented her voice. The guitar work had real lift and purpose, cutting through with clarity while packing weight. Fans old and new threw themselves into the beat, and the metalheads in the room were fully absorbed. There’s a confidence in Bright Black’s performance that suggests they know exactly where they’re heading. Their set was heavy, dynamic and completely engaging and left a lasting impression.
Bright Black
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightBlack22
This was my first time seeing Soho Dukes, and I loved them. The six-piece bring swagger and attitude in equal measure, delivering a punk-edged rock and roll set that draws people straight to the front. There’s a cheeky charm to their performance, helped along by that unmistakable Cockney twang, and they look like they’re having the best time up there.
That enjoyment spreads quickly through the venue. Their songs are upbeat and played with the ease of seasoned pros, each member completely at home on stage. The band fill every inch of it, creating a big presence both visually and musically.
Playing songs from their recently released album Nighthawks, Acrobats and Everything Under the Moon, the set felt varied and full of character. If you haven’t checked that album out yet, you really should.
Soho Dukes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesohodukes
Then came Prymå, and to say they hit hard would be an understatement. They blew the roof off The Brickyard with a set that was heavy in every sense of the word. From the moment they stepped on stage, the intensity ramped up and didn’t let go.
Songs such as Dead To Me and My Cold Shadow were full of power and intensity and paved the way to their new single, Mask, due out on 18th February. The song was played live for the first time, and what a belter it is. The track landed with a huge impact, giving us a taste of what’s to come on release day.
Backed by striking visual graphics that amplified the atmosphere, their performance felt massive. Prymå have a presence that reaches beyond the stage, and you can sense they’re destined for bigger venues and even larger audiences. They just keep getting better and heavier, and the crowd’s response approved it. I stood there, along with many others, slightly stunned by what we’d just witnessed.
After Prymå’s set, I needed a drink! The room was buzzing as I mingled with the crowd, and every chat was about their performance. That kind of reaction speaks volumes. It’s clear Prymå are building real momentum, and judging by the
excitement in the room, plenty of people will be keeping a close eye on what they do next.
Pryma
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prymabanduk
Hell’s Ditch were next, and it had been a while since I’d last seen them, so I was genuinely pleased to find them on the bill. Their upbeat, American-influenced punk sound is instantly infectious. They bounced around the stage, completely at ease, tearing through songs I’m addicted to, including Take the Night Off, Avarice, The Scrape and last year’s single The Reckoning.
There’s a punchy honesty to their music that makes it easy to connect with. Every chorus feels made to be shouted back, and the crowd was more than willing to oblige. Hell’s Ditch are one of those bands you could see a dozen times over the summer and never tire of. An album or two wouldn’t go amiss either. Someone please make that happen.
Hell’s Ditch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellsditchmusic
Second headliners Kit Trigg played to a packed room, with fans ready and waiting to throw themselves into the set. Blending bluesy rock with a heavier edge, the three-piece delivered a performance that felt both tight and expressive. Light At The End Of The Tunnel carried a strong, driving rock feel, while Snake In The Grass showcased rich harmonies and weighty guitar work.
The band have a natural chemistry that makes their live show engaging from start to finish. At one point, Kit asked the crowd to cheer for a friend, and the response was loud, proud and genuinely moving; you could see how much it meant to them. The energy in the room stayed high throughout, with cheers ringing out between songs. If you can catch the band live, you won’t be disappointed.
Kit Trigg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KITofficialpage
Closing the weekend was The Karma Effect, well known on the grassroots scene for their blues-rock sound, and they were the perfect choice to bring everything to a close. From the moment they stepped on stage, they launched into a soulful, confident set led by Henry’s unmistakable voice. There’s warmth and grit in his delivery that pulls you straight in.
With a couple of albums already behind them and a third due for release in May, the set spanned their journey so far, giving fans and those about to become fans a taste of The Karma Effect. From Promised Land, such as Livin’ It Up and Wild Honey, Testify from their self-titled second album and the two releases from the up-and-coming Cruel Intentions. The band played with assurance and class, wrapping up the weekend on a high, and you can’t ask for more than that.
The Karma Effect
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekarmaeffectuk
All too soon, that was it for another year. Across two days, we were treated to exceptional music from bands who pour their hearts into every performance. From first gigs to single launches, from established names to rising stars, and even bands travelling over from Ireland, the variety was outstanding. Every act brought something different, yet together they created a weekend that celebrated the strength of a rock community I’m proud to be part of.
Tickets are already bought for next year, even with only a handful of bands announced. That’s how much faith I have in this weekender. Whoever steps onto that stage, I know I’ll be right there, loving every minute of it.
If you would like to support grassroots rock music, Upstaged Ltd puts on various events throughout the year, including Call of the Wild Festival, Rockmantic Weekender Grimsby, Rockmantic Weekender Carlisle, and Trailblazer in 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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