TRC / Astroid Boys / Aurora / The Sleeper Wakes @ White Rabbit Plymouth
This was the first show at Rabbit I've made after being at university since September so it felt appropriate to have it as my first blog post. Let’s start with the Hometown band "The Sleeper Wakes". Not going to lie, I was impressed for a first show. They blew everyone away and got the building moving with their unique take on the Hardcore /Metalcore genre. Despite their short but sweet set, you can tell they are going to make an impact on the local scene.
Link to Band page https://www.facebook.com/THESLEEPERWAKESBAND
Next on stage was Aurora- a female fronted band from Birmingham. This show was the first I'd heard of them and didn't know what to expect. Jessica Calvesbert is one of the most energetic vocalists I've seen in a long time and defiantly knew how to get a crowd moving. The band’s set was an intense mixture between catchy clean sections and face smashing heavy breakdowns much akin to some of the tracks that have been released from Marmozets. Aurora are still very early on in their musical careers having only just released their first EP in 2012, so you can definitely expect to see more of them in the next few years. They should certainly be on your watch list and I’d strongly recommend trying to catch their next show.
Link to Band page https://www.facebook.com/aurorauk
So, I now come on to Astroid Boys. A friend of mine had sent me a track of their’s before the set and another had mentioned the hype they have gained in Cardiff. So I had high expectations before the band had even come on and so when an incomplete band arrived on stage (one of their vocalists was absent due to a prison sentence) I was hesitant about what I was going to get. Luckily, the missing member had been replaced by the band’s producer, and by the end of the opening song, my previous expectations had been blown out of the water. They put on one of the most impressive sets I’ve seen this year combining grime and hardcore in a unique twist, that would appeal to more than just fans of the hardcore genre. Their set was accompanied by nonstop movement from the crowd which just seemed to motivate the band to go even harder. It’s always good to see a band enjoying their performance and Astroid boys appeared to be doing exactly that. I would strongly recommend seeing them.
Link to Band page https://www.facebook.com/astroidboys?fref=ts
Finally, the headline act, TRC. After the performances that the supporting acts had put on, TRC really did need to step up and justify their headliner status. Like all the bands on this bill it was my first time seeing them, after which, I understood that they are most definitely one of those bands which you need to see live to appreciate fully. Their set was nonstop energy throughout, getting the crowd fully involved and moving. This included a full stage invasion near the end and having the band joined by Astroid Boys to do guest vocals on a few of their songs. TRC made it clear throughout their entire set that they thrived off the atmosphere of playing live creating a sense of excitement that filled the room wall to wall. I wouldn’t hesitate about seeing them live again and I recommend that you check them out if you get the chance. Link to Band page https://www.facebook.com/trchardcore?fref=tsA