What better way to celebrate my first gig of the new year than with two bands who are pushing heavy music into exciting new territory? With plenty of Riot Grrl attitude, BEX and band hit the stage like a rabid gang to the refrain of ‘Filfy’, and things get suitably messy from therein (but in the best way, of course). Deftly defying easy categorisation BEX proceeds to wake up a midweek crowd with a confrontational performance, and while BEX draws most of the attention with her flame red hair, the rest of the band shouldn’t be overlooked and they turn songs such as ‘Slave 2 The Grind’ (not the Skid Row tune) into musical missiles which are fired with force. New single ‘SunDae’ drops 1st March (put that date in your diary) and caps a solid set which promises much mayhem ahead. “Ghouls just wanna have fun”, indeed.

With their punk-meets-metal aesthetic, Saint Agnes appeal to a wide demographic and there’s a nice mixture of the young and old present to witness their meteoritic rise. Having released one of 2023’s key releases in the shape of Bloodsuckers (reviewed here), you get the impression that this crew won’t be playing clubs for long. With the stage bathed in blood red light (obviously), there’s a definite tension crackling the air which is finally released as the band hit the stage and unleash the title-track from the aforementioned Bloodsuckers. It seethes with undiluted rage and the kind of aggression that can’t be faked. We were lucky enough to catch the band’s set at 2000 Trees (reviewed here) and I’m pleased to report that time hasn’t blunted their edges in the slightest. If anything, they’re more finely honed and the pugnacity with which a stream of F-bombs are delivered are ample proof.

Aided by an impressive light show, Saint Agnes deliver a visual and sensory overload which finds the band scrawling their sound all over the venue. It’s undoubtedly their drummer who is the band’s secret weapon; while many play hard like him, he’s one of the rare breed who plays with force and feeling, and subsequently each beat hits the solar plexus. However, it would be unfair to single out any one member; this band work best as a collective, they demand your full attention and ensure that each pair of eyes is turned towards the stage. A heartfelt ‘This Is Not The End’ adds an emotional depth to proceedings while an army of misfits raise their fingers in an act of defiance as Saint Agnes depart with ‘Middle Finger’. The bow taken is well-earned, and those present know they’ve seen a special something.

Saint Agnes Set List:

1. Bloodsuckers
2. Animal
3. I Mean Nothing To You
4. Daughter Of Lucifer
5. Vampire
6. At War With Myself
7. This Is Not The End
8. Repent
9. Middle Finger

BEX Set List:

1. Filfy
2. Chained Into My Brain
3. Hazmat Suit (My Ass)
4. Trust No One
5. Slave 2 The Grind
6. SPYD4 K1NG
7. Don’t Date The Devil
8. SunDae