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As always, the step ladder comes out and frontman Al Bristow is ever the showman, stalking the floor, sitting on the bar and standing on the ladder so everyone in the audience get at least one bead of his sweat on them.

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“Moving to Andromeda” is moved from its opening slot and will be re-recorded in the not too distant future to replace the rougher demo version currently on streaming platforms and goes down a storm, while “Hard Place” and “Search For Life” take pride of place in a set full of early career Deftones riffs and Alternative Metal. The change in the line-up tonight means Weaponry move up the running order and get a longer set, which is the opportunity to throw into the mix a brand new song that the band have been changing parts to in the build up to the show tonight. “Choke” and “Optimistic Automation” are a pair of decent songs and while there are some vocals at the start of their set, they are at their best instrumentally. Harsh programmed drum sounds provide a backdrop to endless riffs that build in cycles and have the ebb and flow of a river to the sea. Sound complicated? Actually what David Turner and Martin Robertson create could be better described as a soundtrack to Doom or Quake at 2am after a bottle of bourbon. you won’t regret it.A last minute ish line up change sees Black Emerald drop off tonight’s billing to be replaced by Reading natives Boredoms In The Bathroom who are a Post-Rock duo with an Industrial Metal heart and Progressive leanings. It’s a hell of a job to put this kind of thing on and who knows if they will have the energy to do it again but if they do then make sure you get your tickets early and support them. They managed to create an event where everybody involved had a fantastic time and was able to put the problems of the last couple of years behind them.

Full credit must go to Alec and Victoria of Crazy Cowboys for delivering such a well run and brilliant day. Well, what can we say in conclusion about Xiii Shades of Black other than wow, what a day. It’s a high-octane rock n roll show which even has the benefit of an ‘almost Christmas No1’ in a rocked up Living La Vida Loca…what’s not to like!

It’s helped by having a front man who leads the band so well, in a style which is almost Adam Ant mixed with Billy Idol. It’s sleazy gutter rock but with a dash of almost flamenco to spice it up. They appreciate the need to bring a bit of style to their show, but it’s not just about how they look, they also deliver a unique sound. Whilst this is a relatively new line up, they’re a band who have rightly established a great reputation for their live shows.

It’s a credit to the audience that despite it being a long day they are clearly well up for the final band of the day, Gypsy Pistoleros. Also, with “Heartbreakers Don’t Try” they hit power pop perfection and have a song that in any reality should be a massive hit! The Digressions certainly threw down the gauntlet to the other acts that were still to follow. Songs like “Beneath Nostalgia and Heartbreak” have a depth and heart that many rock bands struggle to achieve. They’re a big band with a huge sound and the first act that really had us thinking that in another time/another reality they’d be playing arenas not clubs. They effortlessly skip between a punk rock and power pop sound that recalls masterful bands like D’generation, The Exploding Hearts or The Star Spangles. This was a set that really demonstrated the band’s ability to play the style of music we really love. Long time readers will know that we are big fans of the various outfits that Rich Ragany has fronted and his most recent release with this band was pretty special. That set us up rather nicely for the band we were probably most looking forward to seeing, Rich Ragany and the Digressions.