Wednesday nights are not renowned as party nights, but with Massive Wagons back in town a healthy crowd gathered in SWG3 to rock along with the band that always get the party started. With a full on night of thrash happening about half a mile down the road in the Hydro, I did wonder if that would affect the crowd numbers here, but the hall was near capacity with people looking for a good time despite it being a school night!

Opening up proceedings just as I arrived was Cam Cole. A powerhouse one man band who is picking up quite a following, his dirty turbo charged blues got things warmed up nicely (thankfully as it was Baltic outside!). His ability to play rocking blues on guitar whilst creating a full on rhythm section with his feet was entertaining to watch.

Opening with the aptly names ‘New Age Blues’, the noise he created was impressive for one man as he managed to sound like a blues power trio in full flight. He was joined for a few numbers by a sidekick who provided a bit of percussive support, but the focus was definitely on Cam.

The bulk of his set was thrashed out on an acoustic guitar with tracks like ‘Mama’ and ‘Truth Be Told’ going down well with the swelling crowd. It was later in the set though, when Cam brought out the electric guitar, that things go really heavy, man can he play!

If I was being critical, you could level the accusation that a few of the tracks played sounded very similar to the point I wasn’t too sure where one ended and the next began. Maybe I was just unfamiliar with his music and need to give him more airtime. No matter, as he left the stage the crowd gave him a rousing and well deserved cheer as he raised his top hat.

Next up were a band I was looking forward to seeing as I had heard many good things about them and Florence Black certainly didn’t disappoint. The South Wales trio kicked off, aptly, with ‘Start Again’ and rocked hard and heavy.

Whilst Cam Cole may try to replicate a power trio, Florance Black are the real deal. Tristan Thomas on vocals and guitar crunched out the ultra-heavy riffs with aplomb whilst the rhythm section of Jordan Evans on bass and Perry Davies on drums provided a low down punch akin to being hit with a baseball bat.

Over the course of the ten song set there wasn’t much chat as the guys let the music do the talking and crammed as much into their allotted slot as they could. The bulk of the set was taken from their latest album, ‘Bed Of Nails’, a record I really need to get more acquainted with in the coming weeks. Tracks like ‘Warning Signs’, ‘Look Up’ and ‘Bed Of Nails’ had some very enthusiastic converts to the Florence Black cause bouncing along, fists punching the air.

They rounded off the set with a couple of older numbers ‘Zulu’ and crowd favourite ‘Sun And Moon’ which provided a great climax to an excellent set. I have seen many bands over the years that have been hyped in the press and social media, but who have fallen short when in a live setting, no risk of that here. Florence Black lived up to the plaudits heaped on them and are a band I will be looking out for in the future.

One band that always rises to the occasion are Massive Wagons. As ‘Hello There’ by Cheap Trick blasted out the PA the guys took to the stage and fired into ‘Missing On TV’ from their latest album ‘Earth To Grace’. Baz Mills was bouncing around the stage like an expresso fuelled kangaroo as the crowd responded in kind. Baz actually apologies later in the set for his more subdued performance as he had contracted a bug and was suffering big time. To be honest, if he hadn’t let everyone know we would never have guessed, although he was clearly flagging towards the end of the set.

The set was a good mix of the old and the new. ‘Tokyo’ was up next, which then led into Baz doing his best cheerleader impression during ‘A.S.S.H.O.L.E’, encouraging everyone to spell out the word like a demented primary school teacher.

As always with Wagons the musicianship on display was top notch. Adam Thistlethwaite and Stephen Holl cranked out the riffs whilst the rhythm section of Alex Thistlethwaite and Adam Bouskill provided the thumping bassline.

‘Fuck The Haters’ saw many middle fingers raised in solidarity whilst ‘Please Stay Calm’ encouraged a more laid back approach to life. Talking of that, this tour has also been supporting Andy’s Man’s Club which aims to give a safe space for men struggling with mental issues, a great cause. The club now has over 200 meeting locations nationwide and are highly recommended if you feel the need to chat with like minded guys who can offer advice and help you through.

‘Fun While It Lasted’ and ‘Night Skies’ then brought things bang up to date. It is testament to the quality of the new material that there was no lag in the set when these tracks were played despite the album only having been out for a few weeks prior to the tour.

‘Generation Prime’ followed and ended with a mass reggae singalong of ‘No Woman, No Cry’ on the outro. We were now on the home straight and by the looks of Baz, it was just as well, he was fading fast. However, ever the trooper, he soldiered on through ‘Bangin’ On Your Stereo’ and ‘In It Together’ to round off the main set.

Not content to leave it there, the guys reappeared for a couple of encores, ‘Ratio’ and a huge version of ‘House Of Noise’ to finish of a great evening.

Massive Wagons really put their all into a performance and tonight Baz, in particular, went above and beyond for the greater good. This is a band that put their fans first and do everything they can to make sure the show goes on. That’s the reason why, on a chilly Wednesday night, so many dragged themselves from a cozy fireside to get to SWG3, to show their support for one of the most genuine bands in rock.

Review and photos by Dave Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 15 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)