Where: Gifford Arms, Wolverhampton
When – 10th April 2026
Review and Photos by Linda McDermott
Mayor Fest in Wolverhampton is now celebrating its tenth year, and it’s clear this is an event that has grown into something really special. Spanning three days, it brings together some of the best grassroots rock bands around, creating a weekend that feels as much about the community as it does the music.
Over the years, Mayor Fest has also made a real difference beyond the stage, supporting a range of local charities. This time around, funds are being raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice, Compton Care, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity and SSAFA, and the Armed Forces charity, which adds even more meaning to the weekend.
Things get underway tonight with three bands at The Gifford Arms, and the place is already packed. A sold-out room like this is always great to see, and it says a lot about the support, not just for the festival, but for the bands themselves.
For The Forsaken kick off day one in style with songs from their latest album Hole in My Soul. Opening with the title track, they quickly won the crowd over with its driving beat and strong harmonies, and getting everyone clapping along during the guitar solos worked perfectly. Next came Project Providence, already a cracking single in its own right, but tonight it came with a twist as Jack, Dan’s son, stepped in on more of the lead vocals and made the moment his own.
The quality kept coming. Take Me By The Hand raised the tempo, while Pain, one of my personal favourites, hit hard with its grungy edge and always seems to connect with an audience. Then came Bring The Fire, another standout song packed with a great beat, soaring harmonies and a chorus made for singing back at the band. Heavy, energetic, and full of intent, the guys delivered an eight-song set and were a superb way to open the festival, with the reaction in the room saying it all.
For The Forsaken
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theforsakenband
As the stage was being prepared for the next band, there was time to chat with fellow rock fans who had travelled from all over to support the organisers, the bands and pick up some merch. This is one of the best things about the rock community, people talk to each other whether they have met before or not, and there is always a real sense of togetherness.
Next up were Regional One, a band I hadn’t seen before, but one who clearly came with a strong following. The four piece tore through a selection of songs from their
album Sold!, filling the room with energy and keeping the crowd right with them throughout. They also showed a different side when they slowed things down for a ballad that clearly means a lot to them. Asking for phone torches to be lit, the crowd gladly obliged, raising them high above their heads in a moment that obviously meant a great deal to the band.
My highlight of the set was Smoke It Away, a brilliant single from 2021 that went down a storm. They won over plenty of new fans tonight, myself included, and I will definitely be giving that album a proper listen before the next time our paths cross.
Regional One
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RegionalOneBand
With the drinks flowing and the laughter getting louder, the atmosphere was spot on. Then came the final band of the night as Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters took to the stage and, as ever, brought their ‘A’ game.
Pulling songs from across their back catalogue, including from last year’s album Vintage Rebel x Trauma Bond, the band had the room in the palm of their hand from the off. When Beth shouted, “Do you people like rock and roll?” the response was a huge roar before they launched straight into Hell Yeah! They kept the energy levels exactly where they needed to be, singing songs such as Never Let Go, Damage and Over It. The band also took us back to the seventies with Down the Front, adding another flavour to a set that never lost momentum, before turning up the heaviness, letting everyone know just how hard this band can hit.
One of the most touching moments of the night came when Beth took time to speak about Stu Hunting, in whose memory the stage had been named. He was a huge supporter of grassroots rock music and was always down the front cheering on the bands. He bought merch, even if he had already bought it at a previous gig, doing everything he could to support the scene he loved. Rather than lower the mood with a sad song, the band launched into Tonight I’m With You, with the whole room singing along to the chorus. It felt like the perfect tribute to someone clearly loved by so many. They closed their set in style, full of confidence, power and with the kind of presence that made them the ideal band to round off a brilliant opening night.
For those in the room, the night ended all too soon, but what a start to Mayor Fest. Great bands, great music, and plenty of laughter made it the perfect opening chapter of what promised to be a brilliant weekend.
Beth Blade & the Beautiful Disasters
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BBATBDofficial
If you would like more details about Mayor Fest, please check out their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MayorsFest
Tickets are already on sale for 2027 and can be bought at the link below. I’d suggest you grab yourself an early bird ticket now! https://ticket247.co.uk/Event/525586
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