After trying their best to get 2024’s festival on but falling short due to renovations, a reduced lineup (albeit still split across two days for the first time) saw Takedown 2025 welcome Kris Barras Band and Elvana as headliners.
Friday’s late start saw NWOBCR take the spotlight on the Laney and Metal For Good Stages with the WeAreTrxsh stage providing an unsafe space for those seeking something a little heavier and more contemporary. In truth, the Laney Stage proved too big for any of the bands adorning it on day one and that probably impacted performances.
Day one opened for Hardbeat with Thuum on the WeAreTrxsh stage. A backdrop of a cafe serving corporate style sandwiches and slices of lemon drizzle for getting on for £4 wasn’t enough to put Thuum off their thundering best. This stage was easily the best in terms of underground British talent, with the south coast being represented nicely here. As catchy as they were powerful, there’s something endearing about a band that go from having a bit of a laugh to blistering riffs.
The Raven Age are, for one reason (nepotism) or another (it’s nepotism), used to opening for some of the biggest names in rock and metal. Here though it was a mere smattering of people spread across the 2500 capacity main room, people seemingly cosplaying popping to the shop during COVID’s heyday. Those who attended were met with more energy in the photo pit than there was on stage, with the band barely breaking a sweat as they trundled through their lacklustre set.
With easily the biggest and best crowd of the day on the Metal For Good stage, Skarlett Riot wasted no time as they poured through a set packed with catchy singalong bangers. A little stoppage to apologise for being from the north (and they’re from the south of the north if anything) ensured that a crowd that was already begging for more was firmly on their side. After a decade and a half, it does feel like Skarlett Riot are starting to reap the rewards of their hard work.
There’s a charm to folky punk music that could easily be lost in a space as big as the main room at the Guildhall. Anyone who has seen Ferocious Dog before knows that they weren’t about to let that happen though. Upbeat to a fault, even when calling out the Tories, Kier Starmer and the police, these old school East-Midlands punks chatted to the crowd like old friends between songs that would be at home at any proper music festival in the UK.
As the evening drew on, Desert Storm‘s dark, brooding riffs really did hit the mark. Remarking that it had been a decade since they had played Portsmouth, the band are bound to be invited back quickly following this half an hour of sheer intensity that set it up nicely for day 1’s band of the day Urne. If you didn’t know they were a three-piece going in you’d think half the band was hiding such is the stature of their sound. Their techy metal vibes were no match for the cafe/bar room that this stage was lobbed in. The ‘heavier’ bands on day one came out of this best.
A little respect goes a long way and it was immediately evident that Kris Barras and band respect the art form that is live music and, even more importantly, respect old, new and potential fans enough to give their all even when they aren’t playing to sold out venues. Charismatic and engaging, this is who should be pioneering the new wave of British classic rock.
Opening on the main stage were pop-punks Wide Awake Club on their frontman’s birthday. Settling in on a stage of this size within their first track, their infectious energy quickly made fans of those that ventured indoors so early on what was a glorious day. A rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ was met with the appropriate level of embarrassment before a blackout meant another impromptu version released some of the tension. This is a band to keep an eye on.
Later on on the main stage, there was a contest for band of the weekend between Seething Akira and Lake Malice. Seething Akira’s nu-core was exactly what was needed to give this weekend a kick up the backside. As fun as they are on record, it’s the live arena where this band come into their own. Engaging with the crowd from the first second, their dual vocalists ensured that there was energy throughout and those in attendance reciprocated in kind. It was delightful to see the venue bouncing. Lake Malice followed and kept that bounce in the room. A set packed with high-energy riffs and tracks that promote female autonomy saw them win over even those stood arms folded towards the back. If there’s any justice, Lake Malice will quickly see their stock rise to reflect the talent and strength of their music.
One of alternative music’s darlings in Dream State took to the main stage as main support and, sadly, don’t seem to be able to live up to their former selves. Lineup changes have left their impact and despite a set full of bangers, it just doesn’t quite feel like Dream State anymore.
The enigma that is Kid Bookie was on full show though. Ridiculously catchy, always seeming to to either be having the best or worst time and, at this showing at least, adamant that people leave his shows with nothing left in the way of eardrums. Painfully loud, even for those wearing adequate protection. Sadly a few songs is all that could be managed here.
Surely, this weekend has shown that Elvana’s gimmick is tired?! As nice as it is to hear some live Nirvana tracks, there’s little enjoyment to be had here. In fact, it has grown to the point where ‘Barrioke Does Nirvana’ would be more entertaining (and likely truer to the source material). Please, bookers, promoters, leave this in 2025. Or at least at about 2pm at festivals.
Thankfully, across the venue, Acres were closing the Metal For Good stage proving that a gimmick doesn’t matter. Head on stage with some crushing riffs and the catchiest of melodies and you’re going to have the crowd in the palm of your hand. That’s what happened Acres did and came out of it as the most hyped band of the weekend. There’s little wonder their new album is seeing them break through to the next level. Fun, emotional and powerful. A fantastic way to end a weekend that could have gone out with a whimper.