Audio was the place to be for a Friday night of loud, fast, and unapologetically raw rock. With a mix of punk energy, heavy riffs, and a crowd ready to go wild, it had all the makings of a gig that would leave ears ringing and bodies aching in the best way possible.
Walking into the venue just in time for the first band to kick off, I was greeted with the raw energy of Sonic Noise. Opening their set with a brand-new track, the young four-piece wasted no time in making their mark. Clearly new to the gigging scene, but full of enthusiasm, they reminded me of myself as a teenager, just with a little less attitude hahaha.
Musically, there was a definite Seether vibe in their sound, though rough around the edges. The potential is there, no doubt about it. Given a few years, they could be carving out their own niche in the scene. Their energy was infectious, and while some moments felt a little unpolished, that’s all part of the journey.
Visually, they had a bit of character too, the bassist rocking a V for Vendetta mask, adding a slightly anarchic flair to their stage presence. Mid-set, they threw in a cover of “The World is a Vampire” by The Smashing Pumpkins, and to my surprise, the harmonies were actually pretty solid. You don’t always expect that level of vocal control from a fresh band, but they pulled it off well.
Then came a total shift in vibe, the guitarist abandoned his instrument, took over on vocals, and launched himself around the stage like Sid Vicious, belting out what sounded like a Sex Pistols inspired punk anthem. For that brief moment, Sonic Noise went full old school punk, embracing the chaos in the best way possible.
They wrapped things up with two original tracks, closing their set with a burst of energy. While they’re still finding their feet, the passion is there. Give them time, and they might just be shaping the next wave of punk infused rock.
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Next up were Ivory, a female-fronted band with a headless bass wielding John Lennon lookalike, definitely a striking image. Their sound leaned heavily into hard rock, with some Motörhead-esque grit, while the vocals had an intriguing blend of Courtney Love’s raw edge and Maria Brink of In This Moment’s theatrical intensity. It was a unique mix, giving their set an unpredictable, rebellious energy.
Their setlist included a couple of covers, kicking off with The Hives before diving into a Velvet Revolver track. However, something felt slightly off, maybe the key wasn’t quite suited for the singer, as it didn’t sit as well as their other songs.
A highlight of the performance was the frontwoman stepping off the stage mid-song to belt out Billy Idol to the crowd, a proper old-school move that got people engaged. It was a fitting moment, especially since she mentioned that this very venue was where the band first started. A full-circle moment, and the crowd responded with solid applause.
Musically, the band was tight as hell. The guitars were punchy, the drums locked in perfectly, and the overall performance felt polished. If there were any rough edges, the stage presence covered them up well. By the time they wrapped up, it was clear they had won over the room.
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Closing out the night were The Breathing Method, a band I’ve shared the stage with before, so I already knew we were in for a strong performance. As their intro track played, the crowd surged forward, anticipation building. Then, out came Scott Booth, stepping onto the monitor with a floor light casting an eerie glow beneath him. From the very first moment, he commanded the stage, his presence undeniable.
From the opening note, it was clear these guys knew exactly what they were doing. Confident, seasoned, and fully in control of the room, they tore straight into their set, blending punk and alt-rock elements with a heavier edge, almost like a more intense Green Day at times. The energy was relentless, and when Scott roared, “Are you f**ing ready?” before kicking off a circle pit, the crowd didn’t hesitate. A bunch of young rockers threw themselves into the chaos, joined by none other than Sonic Noise, proving that even the support acts were still riding high on adrenaline.
Between the heavier tracks, the band brought the vibe down momentarily with a slower song, explaining, “You may have noticed, but we’re playing the album in running order.” It was the first time they’d performed the track live, and it carried definite Staind vibes. A standout moment came when Jamie put his guitar down, grabbed a mic, and joined Scott for a beautifully harmonised section, unexpected, but it worked brilliantly.
Of course, the slower pace didn’t last long. With pints raised, Scott launched into “Unbearable”, and as the song came to an abrupt stop, the signature “pop” of a perfectly timed silence hit, one of those moments that always makes a crowd pause for a split second before erupting in cheers. Then, just as quickly, the next track kicked in, and the pit was back in full force.
A photographer I spoke to before the set had said, “These guys need to do something special to top the last band,” and The Breathing Method did exactly that. One track had a distinct Hoobastank style feel to it which was cool, and they kept things light-hearted too. At one point, the guitarist joked, “Since our album dropped on Spotify, we’ve made 50 cents… but if you buy it here, we make 13 bucks.” A perfect mix of humour and hustle.
As the set neared its end, the band introduced their final song, “Jupiter”, and got the crowd singing along with a massive “Woooooo” chorus. But when they walked off stage, the chants for “One more tune!” were deafening. Scott smirked and answered, “One more tune? How about four?”
The energy skyrocketed again as they ripped through four short, punchy punk tracks, demanding that the crowd use whatever energy they had left. The biggest pit of the night broke out, and at one point, even Scott dived in to join the madness. By the final song, the crowd was exhausted from jumping, moshing, and screaming, but no one was backing down.
The Breathing Method closed out the night exactly as a headliner should: loud, chaotic, and leaving the crowd completely drained but absolutely satisfied.
Pics by Skull Lens Photography
