NWOCR LiveFest 4. KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton is always a pleasure to visit, and the prospect of two whole days here was an invitation to be welcomed. This is the fourth year of NWOCR LiveFest, and once more, there are some real quality acts on offer, all brilliantly organised and held in one of the best venues in the country.
NWOCR LiveFest 4
KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 27-28 September 2025
Words: Liz Medhurst
Photography: John Inglis
There is nothing at all wrong with heavy blues rock, quite the opposite, we could listen to it all day, and quite often do. A person cannot live on one genre alone, however, especially at a festival when variety is needed to go the distance, early on in the day, a new treat was in store.
Shape Of Water
There are many ways of judging the success of a festival. One way is if a new band is discovered. This happened here with Shape Of Water, the second band on, causing quite a stir.
The trio, the brainchild of Italians Rox Capriotti and Luca de Falco, brought excitement, intrigue and drama. When Capriotti started the show in the spotlight, singing softly before exploding into the first song, heads snapped round, conversations stopped, and attention was held and kept.
This captivating mix was difficult to pigeonhole – heavy electronic art rock, reminiscent of Muse via Placebo via Nine Inch Nails and massively ambitious. With a bespoke video projection adding to the drama and inventive use of on-stage samplers, it was refreshing, different and very, very good.
Saturday Afternoon
The rest of the afternoon kept things pretty mainstream. Earlier, Yaki Dah had opened proceedings, the personable Welsh rockers brimming with energy and a jagged new wave edge.
Juliet’s Not Dead was another band to incorporate some visuals into their set, the Geordie hard rockers shining on a belter of a track in Fist Fight By The Waterside.
The City Kids and Austin Gold showcased different sides of classic rock, with the former being nicely loud and spiky and the latter smooth as a martini in a dive bar.
Troy Redfern
Into the NWOCR LiveFest 4 evening, and the cosmic cowboy Troy Redfern provided thrills. Playing as a duo with Nicky Waters on drums, both had to do a lot of heavy lifting to fill out the sound.
Fortunately, that is exactly what they are renowned for, and the dynamic range was truly impressive, larger in fact than some whole bands manage. There was attitude, adrenaline and swagger in spades as Redfern’s unique handling of the guitar gives us ferocity in one moment and genuine tenderness in another.
The duo fed off each other’s energy, bringing huge rhythms that could tear through the sky. Forget all your preconceptions of slide guitar. This is on another level.
Empyre
A change of pace followed with Empyre. The moody, prog-inspired quartet from the Midlands have impressed growing audiences over the last few years.
Undoubtedly highly talented with an ear for some deep and interesting sounds, this is not a party band. Check them out if you are feeling a bit introspective or a bit shoegaze. Empyre are more of a band to sit and listen to in the dark.
Nevertheless, a warm reception proved Empyre are a worthy part of the scene.
These Wicked Rivers
Headliners, These Wicked Rivers wasted no time in lifting everyone’s spirits again. The mere sight of their clashing pattern bedecked living room stage set would bring a smile to the coldest of hearts.
Peace, love and lampshades is their motto, and you cannot argue with that. The Derby quintet are far more than just an image, though. They have the songs and the vibe, taking influences from southern rock and soul, but a sound all of their own.
High-kicking guitarist Arran Day provided extra colour, leaping from the crazily high drum riser twice, and no band member was eclipsed, all contributing to a beautiful full sound.
A fully engaged crowd, soaking up the atmosphere and singing back anthems such as Testify, Shine On and the heartfelt Don’t Pray For Me, were also enthralled by new song Ain’t No Smoke, frontman John Hartwell’s passion and grit a winning combination.
Day one came to a close with the audience leaving with a warm glow.
NWOCR LiveFest 4 – Saturday Afternoon
There would be no easing gently into day two of NWOCR LiveFest 4, and openers White Tygër made sure of that. Based in the West Midlands, the band originally started out playing covers before branching out into their own compositions.
With excellent Classic Metal sensibilities, a meaty rhythm section and plenty of movement, this is a solid opening.
Leadfeather
Taking things down a notch, it was the turn of Leadfeather to pass the time with some vintage-tinged blues rock. The Londoners are definitely influenced by Free, with vocalist Apostolos channelling early Paul Rodgers in sound and looks.
It might not be stunningly original, but they have the confidence to pull it off.
Gone Savage
Staying with the theme of old school, Gone Savage were next up. This is a band who recalled the days of big hair, big power ballads and a bit of sleaze thrown in. Another solid and entertaining set.
Ashley Sherlock
Manchester singer-songwriter Ashley Sherlock brought all the groove and all the style to Wolverhampton this afternoon, even with a bad cold that had sprung up overnight.
You could smell the Vapour Rub emanating from the stage, and he managed to keep things rock ‘n’ roll by blowing his nose on a large, patterned silk bandana.
Not that we noticed anything under par, though. This set was better than a lot of people on top form.
Sherlock may have the essential guitarist uniform of long hair and a hat, but he is memorable for his ability to wrangle rich tones from his guitar using a range of pedals and possesses a penetrating, versatile voice to match.
Not only that, he sure can pen a good tune, the trio format highlighting the quality to great effect. Think Chris Stapleton, Jeff Buckley and The Cadillac Three in one almighty collaboration. His Just A Name album in 2023 showed he has depth, edge, and talent by the bucketload. The second album cannot come soon enough.
Sweet Electric
Continuing the delights into the evening, Sweet Electric brought the party. Brad Marr and his gang insist that you have a good time, no excuses, with Marr joining us in drinking a pint in between verses.
It is a full-on, high voltage, no let-up set, which injects freshness and vitality into a tried and tested format of simply great rock ‘n’ roll, with cowbells, carnage and complete mayhem, both on stage and in the audience.
We would not want it any other way. Bottle this and you have got a cure for any low mood.
Ward VXI
Ward XVI were heavily anticipated and lived up to expectations. The band have taken the theatrical horror Metal concept started by Alice Cooper and made something quite unique, centred around the continuing story of serial killer Psychoberrie.
Monochrome mayhem ensues, and to their credit, the commitment by the band to the look, props, staging, and characterisation is impeccable.
In a scene dominated by soundalike bands, Ward XVI not only provide something different but make you remember them by having enough variety in their music to stand by itself as well as taking their staging far beyond others going down the costumed route. Impressive.
The Karma Effect
The Karma Effect took us back into familiar territory of driving, soulful, hip-swinging loveliness with shades of southern rock, funk and blues. There may not be any shock value or even wow factor, but when the performance is as good as this, there is no cause to complain.
There is nothing to fault overall here. Strong vocals, great hooks, classy image, audience connection, this is the whole package.
Cats In Space
And so to the NWOCR LiveFest 4 headliners, melodic power rockers Cats In Space, in a well-deserved headline slot. Incredibly, it has been a decade since Too Many Gods, and this show is kicking off their tenth anniversary tour.
We were treated to a good spread of songs across all six albums, some rarities and some favourites, demonstrating how remarkably consistently great the material has been over the years. If we really were back in the ’70s this show would be selling out arenas.
Those who stayed the distance were rewarded with a masterclass on how to put on a live show, and there was even a throwback to Sweet Electric’s set when Steevi Bacon deployed his cowbell during Hologram Man, only to be reciprocated by an enthusiastic audience member joining in with gusto.
Frontman Damian Edwards was in fine form, accurately introduced by Greg Hart as “the Rolls Royce of vocalists,” and Willie Dowling, on bass duties for this tour, proved a great addition with his melodious playing and complementary vocal harmonies.
Twin guitars, majestic keyboards, outrageously massive hooks and melodious turns had us all singing, dancing, and marvelling at the spectacle.
Not only that, the set was accompanied by striking new visuals, which beautifully enhanced the music.
As the closing number I Fell Out Of Love With Rock ‘n’ Roll rang out, the time had flown, and the standard of this show served as confirmation that we need bands like Cats In Space more than ever.
NWOCR LiveFest 5
New Wave of Classic Rock LiveFest 5 will be held at KK’s Steel Mill from Saturday 26th September 2026 to Sunday 27th September 2026. Early bird weekend tickets (Adults: £45, U14: £20) are available from wegottickets.com/nwocr.
