There is a lot of talk this weekend about community. About the unique community that Damnation and the associated “Two promoters'” podcast have created, and about how that community spreads between fans and artists. From meeting Keith from Deadguy in the pit to seeing James Scarlett propping up the bar, nodding along, it is clear that everyone is here because they love this music.
Read MoreSo what have we learned at Damnation 2025? Well! For one, people do like a good sit-down. During the four months leading up to the festival, its forum has been full of requests for more seating opportunities. Organiser Gav, being the omnipresent granter of dreams, made that possible by putting a whole swathe of chairs in at the front right of the main stage and at the back of the smallest auditorium. From the moment doors opened on Saturday
Read MoreLuna Marble kick off the first full day of this year’s SOS Festival and despite the heavens opening the moment they hit the first note, they don’t let little things like inclement weather dampen their enthusiasm or performance. Delivering a thoroughly engaging groove laden, psychedelic performance both in musical and aesthetic terms, theirs is music suited to the blissed-out Summer’s Day that we should be experiencing were it not for the vagaries of the English climate.
Read MoreIt’s day three of Badgerfest and our Sarah has taken a well earnt early bath and gone home to put her feet up. I’ve taken on the reviewing baton and steel myself for a full on day of metal. As said, this is the third and final day and as an urban city-based festival it is always going to be a struggle to get punters out of their own beds/ hotel rooms / friend’s couches and into the venue for a 1.30pm start. The answer is simple. You stick the most hyped local band in decades into that opening slot.
Read MoreAfter my hotel booking for the weekend was randomly cancelled with barely any notice, I decided I would be more than capable of getting the train to Badgerfest each day. Day 2 and I am regretting that thought already, as I whizz through Warrington and Newton Le Willows, unable to get lost in my usual daydreamy train thoughts (todays is “They missed a trick last night not covering the Badger song”) as I am alarmingly close to Dave and his workmates having a staff day out and sipping their pre mixed G and Ts.
Read MoreWe all knew it was going to be a moment of pure joy, but words cannot adequately express the ecstasy of finally being back in a room with such a wonderful group of people and such an excellent line up of some of the finest UK metal bands.
Badgerfest’s opening day arrived in with a bang... that bang being John Badgers foot on the bass drum of the kit.
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