Category Archives: News

News

Smithfield Announce UK & Europe Tour!

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Texas-raised, Nashville-based Country duo Smithfield have today announced multiple headline UK shows, in addition to their appearance at the British Country Music Festival in Blackpool. Their anticipated return will see them playing in London, Newcastle, York, Birmingham and Selsey.

“We have been anxious to make it back to the UK since our performances at C2C London 2023,” shares Smithfield. “We’ll never forget the welcome and warmth we received from the UK crowd and how deeply we felt that our music was appreciated. We’re excited to bring our music to several different cities this time and hopefully make a lot of new fans.

“We are honored that the British Country Music Festival asked us to headline, and we are committed to building our fanbase in the UK for the long-term, and making our British fans feel like part of the Smithfield family. We can’t wait to see you all again, share these songs with you in person, and hopefully meet a lot of you for the first time.”

The duo shared their latest single ‘Let You’ on Friday, the follow up to ‘Giving Up On Us’, released in March. Both songs give fans a taste of their forthcoming project, due for release later in the year. The new single – a playful, up-tempo track about finally giving in to undeniable chemistry, co-written by the duo (Jenn Fielder and Trey Smith) with GRAMMY-nominee Karen Kosowski and Emma D Ashlee, and produced by Smith.

An established name in the US Country scene with 150M+ global streams, 40 Grand Ole Opry appearances and a regular fixture at CMA Fest with their sold-out annual fan parties, Smithfield have been a rising force in music since forming over fourteen years ago. With powerful vocal harmonies and emotionally resonant songwriting, the duo have enjoyed critical acclaim while building a loyal fanbase worldwide.

An established name in the US Country scene with 150M+ global streams, 40 Grand Ole Opry appearances and a regular fixture at CMA Fest with their sold-out annual fan parties, Smithfield have been a rising force in music since forming over fourteen years ago. With powerful vocal harmonies and emotionally resonant songwriting, the duo have enjoyed critical acclaim while building a loyal fanbase worldwide.

30 August 2026 – The Crown Inn & Pub – Selsey, United Kingdom
4 September 2026 – Forty-Five Vinyl Cafe – York, United Kingdom
5 September 2026 – Rodeo’s BBQ – Birmingham, United Kingdom
6 September 2026 – British Country Music Festival, Blackpool, United Kingdom
7 September 2026 – The Cluny – Newcastle, United Kingdom
9 September 2026 – St. Pancras Old Church – London, United Kingdom
11 September 2026 – Nashville Nights Songwriter’s Festival – Odense, Denmark

Tickets for Newcastle are on sale now, while Birmingham and London go on sale this Friday. You can purchase tickets here!

News

Novacaine Festival Returns for 2026!

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After a hugely successful debut on Saturday 4 October 2025, Novacaine Festival quickly established itself as a new platform within the UK alternative music scene. The inaugural event was headlined by The Five Hundred, with main support from Bleed Again, alongside a diverse line-up including DACRA, Night Thieves, Reckoner, Broken Empire, and local rising artists Reanimate, Our North, Dead Demons and Ocean Thieves. With the 2025 event coming close to selling out, the festival’s mission was clear from the outset: bring together established touring bands and emerging talent from across the UK while delivering an uncompromising live experience for fans.

Now, Novacaine Festival returns on Saturday 28 November 2026, raising the bar once again!

Headlining the event are post-hardcore heavyweights As Everything Unfolds. The band released their third studio album Did You Ask To Be Set Free earlier this year and continue to build momentum across the alternative scene, with major festival appearances already scheduled including Download Festival.

Joining them as sub-headliners are Tropic Gold, whose explosive rock ’n’ roll energy and rapidly growing fanbase make them a powerful addition to the bill.

Elsewhere, TheCityIsOurs and FOXHAUNT add further weight to the line-up, reinforcing Novacaine’s commitment to pairing established names with ambitious rising artists ready for bigger stages.

More acts will be announced within the coming months. You can already pick up your tickets for the event here!

Event organiser Scott O’Shea said: “First, thank you to everyone who helped turn my dream of launching a music festival into a reality. Our debut show was an incredible night, and the support we’ve seen throughout 2026 has been beyond anything I imagined. None of this would have been possible without the bands, Corporation, and most importantly the fans who showed up and supported the event.

2026 will be the biggest show I’ve put together so far. The aim is not just to grow the festival but to keep creating opportunities for rising artists while giving something back to the community that helped build this. One of our biggest supporters last year was our 2025 compere, Robert Fulton-Hamilton. Rob brought huge energy to the night, introducing every band and conducting interviews throughout the event. Those interviews will feature in upcoming magazine releases, and I’m delighted he’ll be returning in 2026 as our official compere with RJFH Music.”

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Sons of Motörhead Legend Announce Tribute Show at Hella Rock!

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Hella Rock Festival returns on September 5th, 2026 with a powerful and deeply personal announcement, confirming Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons as this year’s headliners. 

The appearance carries added significance, as legendary Phil Campbell was originally scheduled to headline before his passing in March earlier this year. Now, his sons Dane, Todd and Tyla will take to the stage to honour his legacy, delivering a high-energy tribute to his work with Motörhead in what promises to be one of the most unforgettable moments in the festival’s history.

Check out our interview with the Sons here!

Festival director James Pilling had this to say:

“We knew straight away this year had to mean more, losing Phil Campbell hit the whole rock community hard, and we’ve worked closely with his family to make sure this is done right. Having his sons headline, alongside having Phil’s rig on display and backdrops from previous tours around the venue, means this isn’t just another show – it’s a celebration of his legacy, his music, and everything he stood for. Thus year is for Phil, and it’s for all the Motörhead and PCATBAS fans out there”

Joining the Sons on the show are Tailgunner, King Kraken, Silveroller, Hell’s Addiction, Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters, Suns of Rest and Wälker!

Hella Rock Festival is also proud to announce a new partnership with Road Crew Beer, bringing even more rock ‘n’ roll spirit to this year’s event. alongside the main stage chaos, 2026 will see the introduction of a second stage, the Road Crew Stage, dedicated to stripped-back acoustic sets, offering fans a more intimate side of the artists while still keeping the volume loud where it counts!

While tickets are going fast, there are still some available. Grab them while you still can here!

News

Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession Announces 2027 EU & UK tour!

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Just a few days after Charlotte Wessels and her band returned from their biggest tour to date with Epica and Amaranthe, she reveals that she will be taking The Obsession on their first headline tour in 2027, spanning major cities across Europe and the United Kingdom! Not only that, but joining her will be Melissa Bonny, vocalist of modern metal outfit AD INFINITUM!

The tour will kick off on February 4, 2027, in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, and conclude on February 27, 2027, in Charlotte’s hometown of Utrecht, the Netherlands. The full list of dates can be found below. Be sure to grab your tickets quickly at https://charlottewessels.nl/tour/

04.02.27 BE – Sint-Niklaas / Casino
05.02.27 UK – London / Islington Assembly Hall
06.02.27 UK – Glasgow / Slay
07.02.27 UK – Manchester / Club Academy
09.02.27 FR – Paris / La Machine Du Moulin Rouge
10.02.27 CH – Zurich / Komplex Klub
12.02.27 IT – Milan / Legend Club
13.02.27 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle
14.02.27 CZ – Zlín / Masters of Rock Cafe
15.02.27 AT – Vienna / Szene Wien
17.02.27 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
18.02.27 PL – Krakow / Hype Park
19.02.27 DE – Leipzig / Werk 2
20.02.27 DE – Hamburg / Gruenspan
21.02.27 DK – Copenhagen / Pumpehuset
23.02.27 DE – Berlin / Lido
25.02.27 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal
26.02.27 DE – Essen / Weststadthalle
27.02.27 NL – Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg Ronda

Charlotte Wessels on the tour:

“After the unforgettable Arcane Dimensions tour with Epica and Amaranthe, announcing our own headline tour across Europe feels surreal. It’s such an emotional next chapter. The energy we’ve shared with all of you over the past months has been incredible, and we can’t wait to take that even further, with longer sets, new songs, and deeper moments together every night. Finishing the tour in my hometown Utrecht, at TivoliVredenburg – Ronda, is something I’m especially proud of and looking forward to.”

Charlotte Wessels’ latest release, The Obsession (2024), has been widely praised for its dynamic range, artistic growth, and emotional depth. Ever Metal highlighted its “skyscraper melodies” and Wessels’ “masterful vocals,” while Blabbermouth noted the album’s impressive variety. Louder Sound described it as “an auspicious and metallicized spin on her dark fairytale aesthetic,” while Metal Sucks called it “a transcendent collection of moving yet forceful and complex compositions,” further cementing her reputation as a versatile and evolving artist. You can even check out our review of it here!

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George Thorogood Announces Final UK Tour with The Destroyers!

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For more than 50 years, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have remained one of the most consistent—and consistently passionate—progenitors of blues-based rock. And no one knows that better than the millions of fans who’ve seen them live. Formed in 1973 by guitarist, singer, and songwriter George Thorogood and drummer Jeff Simon, the Delaware-based band honed their sound on stages across the Northeast, building a devoted word-of-mouth following through their high-energy performances and blistering grooves.

The band have announced the final tour of the UK, as part of The Baddest Show on Earth tour of North America and Europe. There will be just two shows:Monday 29th June 2026 at University of Wolverhampton at the Civic Hall, followed by Tuesday 30th June 2026 at indigo at The O2 in London.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Speaking about The Baddest Show on Earth, Thorogood says, “When the lights go down, the downbeat hits and the audience erupts; all bets are off. The Destroyers are at their best when we play for the people, and these are some of our favourite—and rarest—performances from the past five decades. You wanted the baddest, you got it.”

Today, George Thorogood and The Destroyer – which currently consists of Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar), and Buddy Leach (saxophone)—have played more than 8,000 live shows. Career highlights include their record-breaking 50 States in 50 Dates tour in 1981; numerous high-profile tours alongside The Rolling Stones, Sammy Hagar, and ZZ Top, among others; over 15 million albums sold worldwide; plus landmark performances at Live Aid and Saturday Night Live.

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Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts Announce String of 2026 UK Dates!

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Rock ‘n’ rollers Tuk Smith & the Restless Hearts are pleased to share a string of 2026 tour dates this summer. The 7-date stint will see them kick things off at Maid Of Stone festival before taking in the sights of London, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Glasgow, and an as-yet-unannounced show. This follows a busy 2025 from the band, touring with Danko Jones and blessing Planet Rockstock with their Nashville-tinged melodies and riffs!

Mr Smith himself shared:

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the UK ever since I first started playing here a decade ago with my previous band. This is my first proper UK tour as a solo artist and I’m just as excited now as I was back then!”

2026 Tour Dates:

Sun 19th Jul – MAID OF STONE Festival

Mon 20th Jul – LONDON The Grace

Wed 22nd Jul – SOUTHAMPTON 1865

Thu 23rd Jul – WOLVERHAMPTON KK’s Steel Mill

Fri 24th Jul – LEEDS The Key Club

Sat 25th Jul – *yet to be announced*

Sun 26th Jul – GLASGOW Classic Grind

Tickets go on sale TODAY! Pick them up here.

In case you missed it, Tuk also put out an incredible EP just last year! We loved it, and you want to buy it, find it here!

Tuk Smith is the kind of rock ’n’ roll ambassador you didn’t think existed anymore. Punk maverick from rural Georgia, Biters frontman, producer and solo artist, he’s seen the best and worst of a music industry in constant flux. By turns it’s left him critically acclaimed, poised for stadiums, dropped, burned out, back in the game and beloved by those for whom rock is still everything. Now based in Nashville, and with his own label Gypsy Rose Records, he creates from a more real place than most.

“I want to do something that means something to people,” Tuk says, “because a lot of shit nowadays is so disposable and so plastic. I just don’t connect with that. I’d like to do things that impact people positively. It’s a weird time on the planet, so to have songs about hope, but not be cheesy about it, it’s something I think we need with songwriting. That’s the kind of music I want to hear.”

Again, there’s that dichotomy he speaks of. “Rock ’n’ roll is essentially the illusion of not giving a fuck, right? Like, you know Axl Rose was doing sit-ups and jump rope, and Paul Stanley was on a cardio machine, and they come out and act like it just happens. The point is I sit at that piano many hours, working on this stuff.”

News

Gypsy Pistoleros Gunning For Christmas #1

Yes, you heard that right. Sleaze-flamenco favourites Gypsy Pistoleros are trying for the converted UK Christmas number one slot this year with their cover of Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’. Backed by the Guru of XMas Hits Jon Morter (responsible for the Rage Against the X Factor campaign back in 2009) and with the campaign well under way (with a little help from the guys at Hard Rock Hell) it has a real chance of gaining some real steam and a chance of winning it back for the rock crowd for the first time since Rage Against the Machine over a decade ago!

Not only that, but all proceeds from the track go towards the amazing Shelter charity.

The track itself is awesome (if you haven’t listened to it already above); a great new take on a classic original song. We love it and would personally love to see it get as much plays as possible, so stream the hell out of it, buy it and keep on this site to watch it on YouTube over and over! Just imagine how amazing it would be if not just a rock band, but a smaller one part of the NWOCR scene get’s this much mainstream media attention!

The track is up for pre-order now and is fully released on the 17th of December, so what are you waiting for? Get to it!

Want to keep an eye out for more rock news from us? Follow us on our Instagram here for all the latest news, reviews and interviews!

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Halestorm return with brand-new single ‘Back From The Dead’

Halestorm release their new single and video ‘Back From The Dead’, focused on tackling mental health.

Following on from 2018’s studio album ‘Vicious’, the band have shared their first single from their upcoming fifth studio album. According to Lzzy Hale the track is based on tackling metal health.

Hale said: “‘Back From The Dead’ is written about my mental health journey over the past few years. I was going through a really hard time, as we all have been in our own ways. I found myself standing on the edge of the world getting completely lost in my own oblivion, but once again music saved me and through writing my truth, I didn’t just let the darkness and depression in my mind dig me an early grace. I’ve erased my name from my headstone, so save your prayers, I’m Back!

“The video was so much fun to film! Dustin Haney is an amazing director. Dustin and his team really helped bring my words to life and the video is one of the most cinematic pieces we’ve done in years! I hope this song, as I pass it on… reminds YOU of YOUR individual strength and that you are not Alone. Raise your horns!”

Back From The Dead

Halestorm are continuing with their string of gigs in the US before their tour with Evanescence. After that, the band are performing a series of intimate gigs in the UK.

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Bloodstock 2022 Announce Their First Crop of bands!

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The UK’s premier heavy festival concludes this years return edition today, but they are already looking to the future for next year. Announcing 17 bands already, including two of the three headliners, the hype is well and truly building already!

Headlining the Saturday will be the band who were supposed to have that slot this year before having to pull out, Mercyful Fate. The band usually deliver one hell of a stage show and frontman King Diamond says, “This time we are going to bring the Devil himself.”

Headlining one of the other days are groove metal legends Lamb Of God. The band previously headlined back in 2013 and it has been far too long since they did a big show over here. Frontman Randy Blythe had this to say: ‘It’s been way too long since we’ve rocked the festivals of Merry Olde – what better way to announce our return than a headliner slot at Bloodstock. Until then, pack your wellies and stay safe, England – LAMB OF GOD will see you Summer 2022!”

The final headliner is yet to be announced, but they gave us plenty of other incredible bands to get excited for while we wait. Filling up the main stage are bands such as Dimmu Borgir, Testament, Exodus, Black Dalliah Murder, GWAR, Bury Tomorrow, Life of Agony and Butcher Babies. They also have a few of the bands who had to pull out of this year due to travel issues, such as Sacred Reich, Vio-lence, Bloodywood and Phil Anselmo & The Illegals performing their blistering Pantera Set.

That’s not all, headlining the Sophie Lancaster Stage on the Thursday are Night Flight Orchestra and closing it out on the Sunday is industrial metallers Static X with their only UK show of 2022.

Are you as excited as we are for this so far? We’ll keep you up to date on any more announcements over the coming months, be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram here.

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Trivium Announce New Album ‘In the Court of the Dragon’

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Floridian metal band Trivium have been a staple of the metal world since their album Ascendency exploded (especially here in the UK) back in 2005. Since then they have released a further seven albums, all of them being absolutely fantastic in their own way. So, imagine our excitement today when the band announce a brand new album less than two years removed from 2020’s incredible ‘What the Dead Men Say’.

Trivium’s Official Facebook

‘In the Court of the Dragon’ is set to be released October 8th, with the title track having already been dropped last month. To accompany the announcement, the band dropped another single from it, ‘Feast of Fire’.

Bassist Paolo Gregoletto had this to say about their latest track:

‘There’s always that one song you aren’t expecting when you begin writing a new album. It could be a riff written on the spot in the rehearsal space, a lyric that pairs just right with a melody, or in the case of ‘Feast of Fire,’ sitting right there in front of us in the middle of a demo that Corey brought in. We were well into pre-production at Full Sail when we all decided that something about the demo we had tracked was good but could be even better. Our producer Josh Wilbur even had in his notes: ‘Bridge is special, maybe so special it needs its own song.’ We tore the song apart and began again on the spot.‘

The track, featured below, is up to the same insanely high quality that the band have maintained throughout their last two albums now. It’s significantly lighter than the album’s title track, featuring a lot more clean vocals as opposed to screaming, but it still has some heavy riffs and stomping rhythm. On top of that, the solo is again fantastic, and the chorus may be up there with some of the bands’ best.

On top of all of that, the band have announced a European tour in November, including four dates in the UK.

We personally cannot wait for to hear the rest of the album, and will keep up to date with the band as much as we can in the leadup!

Keep up to date on all of our news from our website here.