Opening tonight’s proceedings are Graphic Nature. Stepping in for XL Life on the tour, the Kent metallers are very much in the modern vein of metalcore tinged deathcore. On record they are definitely worth checking out by fans of new nu-metal bands like Blood Youth and Death Blooms, but it’s live that this five-piece come to life. Harnessing the brutal guitars and bass of Emmure, and mashing that with harsh metal-hardcore vocals akin to Loathe, they are a splendid and invigorating assault on the senses. The whole band, save for energetic frontman Harvey Freeman, are decked-out in camo/dark windbreakers with hoods up, and they are as visually sinister as the delightfully disconcerting spooky aggro nu-metal they perform. Connor Sweeney (ex-Loathe) pops on stage from the merch stall to provide some guest vocals, and the crowd noticeably warm to the band, with the initial too-cool-for-school vibe giving way to cheers and hardcore dancing (some courtesy of Cancer Bats’ very own Stephen Harrison). Graphic Nature really do have a great package of sound, songs and look, and I expect them to breakthrough sooner rather than later.

Next up are Manchester’s punks Witch Fever. They pull together the best elements of post-punk, grunge and post-hardcore, wrap them up in a deliciously dark package and throw it in your face with blistering punk force. I’m drawn in by every aspect of the band; the almost spoken-word punky yelled vocals of vocalist Amy Walpole, Alisha Yarwood’s grungy post-hardcore guitar riffs, Alex Thompson’s swaggering old-school punk bass lines and Annabelle Joyce’s metronomically tight as hell and perfectly weighted drums. But it’s the way they bring it all together in way that delivers a modern Bauhaus-vibe that delights. Opener ‘Blessed Be Thy’ captures everything great and exciting about this band, both musically and lyrically – the twist on the hymn highlights the importance of her religious experience and eventual liberation from its structure, but also how patriarchal structures are still prevalent across society. But no matter who you are, there is a connection to be made with this band as long as you acknowledge that the world is not ok, and things need to change. That powerful message and ethos is mirrored by the strong and powerful stage presence and performances of every single member of the band. It’s hard to know who to watch and what musical element to focus on from second to second, so you end up just letting it flow over you like a dark wave while digesting the meaning and message being presented. This band are as important as they are unique, and as enthralling as they are entertaining.

I first saw headliners Cancer Bats back in at The Cockpit in Leeds years ago, and they changed the way I felt and thought about live music. Proclaimed in a gig review at that point that this band were the future of punk-metal and that things would be never be the same. Over a decade later and we see founder member and guitarist Scott Middleton having left the band and the Canadian hardcore band touring their first album without him. Fever 333 guitarist Stephen Harrison struts and rips through guitar duties for the band now (no KT Lamond seemingly on this tour), and they’ve lost none of their trademark energy, swagger or live performance vibrancy. Mike Peters smashes and crashes triumphantly on the drums, Jaye R. Schwarzer majestic on the bass and as ever Liam Cormier sublime on vocals and master of ceremonies. There’s still the jagged, pure and raw ripsaw metal aspect to their slashing hardcore punk, and the venue is full with a delirious crowd. It’s not just that they are a phenomenal live band, but that they also feel like they are sharing the experience with you. A punk band of the people for the people you might say. They pound through new and old songs, including my personal favourite ‘Pneumonia Hawk’, before the venue stop their set straight after the superb ‘Bricks and Mortar’…oh the irony of ironies is that the venue ceiling is falling in! Literally bricks and mortar have started falling onto the area by the mixing desk below. You honestly couldn’t make it up. So we all pile out into the street, the band apologising and stopping to chat and get selfies with everyone. Later they let all those with tickets know they can use them for the full experience the next night in Manchester. As I said before, a punk band for the people – and one hell of a band at that.