The last twelve months have been nothing short of phenomenal for Brave Rival. They have taken the blues-rock world by storm, toured extensively and released their second album, ‘Fight or Flight’ to universal praise. Fronted by the twin vocals of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick, 2025 was predicted by many to be the year all that hard work finally paid off.

Chloe’s decision to step away from the band at the end of 2024 left the four remaining members with a decision to make; to split or carry on as a four-piece. Without a shadow of a doubt this performance, just gig number five along this new road, proves the decision to carry on is absolutely the right one.

Walking on stage to a rapturous welcome, in a close to sold out venue, the band launch into a hi-energy opening double of ‘Heart Attack’ and ‘Bad Choices’, the lead tracks on their first two albums. The call back from the fans in the latter letting a grinning Lindsey know that the love for her and her bandmates is as strong as ever. Perhaps a symptom of the quick changeover from the previous band, the sound is a little off to begin with Bonnick’s vocals in particular a little lost in the mix but, thankfully, the necessary adjustments are soon made.

The fast pace continued with ‘Secrets’, a tale of mistrust and wasted time in a relationship, with Donna Peters (drums) and Billy Dedman (bass) anchoring the insistent guitar riff that runs through the track.

Moving on, after a brief pause to draw breath and a few words from Lindsey, we are treated to one of the (many) stand out tracks from latest album, ‘Stars Upon My Scars’. Building from it’s subtle, bluesy start to a magnificent crescendo, guitarist Ed ‘the shred’ Clarke stretches out for the first time tonight with a stunning solo. Clarke is fast making a deserved name for himself on the live circuit, not just for his lead work but also for the soundscapes and structure he brings to the bands overall sound.

Unsurprisingly he is once again in the forefront as his growling slide guitar introduces one of the stand out tracks from their 2022 debut album ‘Life’s Machine’ with Lindsey asking that most important of questions after a night of memory sapping excess, ‘What’s Your Name Again?’.

Next up is ‘Stand Up’, a raunchy, rocking number imploring us not to shy away from what we believe in and, what’s more, to be proud of it! Another highlight from the ‘Fight or Flight’ this live version lacks the harmonica of the studio version but Lindsey absolutely owns it tonight.

Another firm favourite of the live set, a slightly re-arranged ‘Run and Hide’ follows and this one allows the whole band to really rock out with Donna’s drums again driving the track along at a breakneck pace.

The 11pm curfew is looming now and following a beautifully crafted rendition of Sheryl Crow’s ‘Run Baby Run’, the already truncated set draws to a premature close with the brooding, emotional, magnificent ‘Heavy’. The live version appears to end, fooling some in the audience, before Ed Clarke again moves front and centre to finish the set with another blistering solo.

A terrific evening ends with an extended jam (curfew? What curfew?) with co headliners the Cinelli Brothers, on the Box Tops classic, The Letter.

For this reviewer any lingering doubts as to what the future holds are answered tonight. Brave Rival prove they are still a fantastic blues rock band, fronted by one of the best female vocalists around at the moment, that have chosen to fight on and not fly away in the face of adversity. All power to them. Once again they are touring extensively this year so, catch them if you can and I guarantee you will not regret it.

Review by Neil Pudney
Photos by Paul Berry

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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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 6 April 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 8 April 2025

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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

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

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