Fireheart – Dreadnought Bathgate

Dreadnought Bathgate –

Saturday 23rd May ’26.

What an awesome sight to see 5 guys on a stage doing what they love – playing live music to the masses.

“Rise” the titled EP was delivered and on this occasion was surpassed!!!

Kicking this rollercoaster 40 minute set pre “Cassidy Paris” the thought I have is these guys will not be playing support much longer the appreciation that was felt within The Dreadnought as a venue as unfortunately the initial ‘Bannerman’s” set needed to be moved – but well done to all involved for pulling this move off.

Set opener “Wild Hearts; Wild Nights” released as a single last year with it’s “Can you, can you feel the love now” chorus and it’s woah,s set in the audience are already signing along and it’s soon evident that there is a “Love” as the guys are here for a party as Kev is soon dancing in circles around the stage and emitting facial expressions which as the set went on was evident throughout as Russ on vocals had the appreciative audience in the palm of his hand from the first note dancing in circles and throwing all sorts of dance moves alongside.

Given that ‘Bret” on bass was unavailable, left Kev and the band enlisting his brother-in-law to support what is the 16th gig of “Fireheart” life I can safely say that the attention that the highly anticipated album release is going to get is huge due to the success of “Rise”.

Following on “Inner Remedy” another 2025 single release and the 2nd of an 8 song set we were engrossed by the antics in front of us with a certain camaraderie especially between the 4 in front of the drums. “I don’t need a best Friend” from last year’s “Rise” followed as 3 songs in this was becoming one of the best support sets I’ve witnessed in a while.

Mid-set we were treated to “I’m not Dreaming” and ” (Good is) Good Enough” which with its heartfelt lyrics leaves a goosebumps moment such is the emotional lyric throughout, “An hour to forget”, “Write me a Letter” and for me the best song of the set “Staring at the Sun” also released as a single opens with “woah woah woahs close your eyes, open your ears think Bon Jovi music and voice and you’re there as the song closes you can feel the emotions come through the lyrics speaking of loneliness as the set closed we had Kev imitating shooting the aforementioned with guitar in hand.

Throughout the set the tightness of “Chris” on drums with “Dan” filling in on bass the rhythm throughout was immense, with Neil on lead guitar and ‘Kev” rhythm guitar the duo had us reaching new highs with what was delivered and what can you say of front and centre the showman “Russ” on vocals what an absolute legend. On speaking with Russ onstage post gig I admitted that not many gigs have given me goosebumps at the end of a set what energy closed with guitars and drums crashing a crescendo of noise and that was that.

Guys with everything that goes on and going on in the world it was class to put any communication with the outside to the side – something that Kev and myself alluded to post set also. Given as said before with so few outings before tonight the professionalism and tightness is to be applauded what with even the stand in of Dan for bass player.

If you get the chance throughout the summer festival to see these guys do not be put off as this is one band that are “Going Places”.

Small stages but “Huge Impact” is what will be delivered.