It is not yet the weekend, but the party has started already. The main room in The Brickmakers in Norwich is full of people ready to embrace the euphoria caused by a mix of alcohol and two of the finest rising bands in the country, Brave Rival and Star Circus.
Brave Rival – Star Circus
The Brickmakers, Norwich – 16 October 2025
Words: Paul Monkhouse
Photography: Steve Ritchie
Brave Rival
When MetalTalk spoke to the headliner, Brave Rival, earlier in the evening, they were still on a high from their sold-out EP launch the night before at The 100 Club, the adrenaline levels slowly fading and being replaced by fatigue.
Well-drilled and constantly touring as they are, any signs of tiredness were banished the moment they hit the stage as the tight quartet grabbed the crowd by the scruff of the neck, determined to bring more converts into the fold of the self-styled ‘Bravians’.
With the departure of co-lead singer Chloe Josephine at the end of last year, it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of following the band since to see Lindsey Bonnick really step up and inhabit her role of fronting the outfit fully.
There is still the same chemistry present between her, guitarist Ed Clarke, rhythm section drummer Donna Peters and bass player Billy Dedman, but any doubts as to how she would perform without the rare symbiosis between her and Josephine have quickly dissipated, her voice shining and her charisma undeniable.
Brave Rival is a different beast now, and the fire they displayed previously has been stoked up to a furnace. The band is attacking everything with a renewed sense of purpose.
Certainly, there is a lot of confidence in the tracks from the new release 5 To 4, all five being played tonight, including the heavy-hitting opener Let Me Rock ‘n’ Roll featuring a breathless solo from Clarke that really sets the tone for the rest of the night.
The stomp of Bad Choices and joyful rush of 17 are greeted like old friends, but the strident and seductive Poison scores equally highly. This song is fresh to most there, but we see a number singing along by the second chorus.
Doubtless able to knock out hooks big enough to capture Moby Dick, Brave Rival are more than capable of digging to the core of your soul. Numbers like Stars Upon My Scars and Heavy are emotionally shattering and capable of moving all but the hardest of hearts to tears.
Brave Rival have many of these moments where contradictions abound, the joy and bonhomie engendered juxtaposing with the occasional seriousness of the material, but this tension is part of what makes their live experience so compelling.
It is true that audiences can be hit with the hurricane of sound that is the Led Zep meets Maiden bluster of Control, but the nudge and wink of What’s Your Name Again is pure ribald humour shot through with a very slinky class.
With their seemingly endless cycle of touring, it seems that the band have already earned their stripes by doing things the hard way and on nights like tonight, it certainly shows.
Quite what the future holds is anyone’s guess, but for those who went out into the cold Norfolk night with the tumultuous knockout blow of Fairytale still ringing in their ears, the knowledge that Brave Rival turn every night into a party makes them prime candidates for the big leagues and a long and very successful career.
Star Circus
Earlier in the evening, Star Circus provided a more than scorching warm-up for the headliners, the Londoners also set for much bigger things.
Never sacrificing melody for muscle, the quartet bring a blend of ’70s and ’80s influences together in their music that revisits the hard rock of yore but always adding a modern edge to things.
Harmonies abound as big riffs kick in, urgent opener Over & Over immediately drawing the attention of those crowded by the bar and by the Aerosmith meets Kiss second number Times Get Tough, ordering a pint is all but forgotten.
Recent single One Hit Wonder is fun too, it’s late period Beatles with extra balls feel and big chorus irresistible and The Wreckage packs a sledgehammer crunch.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Winkler and guitarist Santiago Periotti bring out their classic Thin Lizzy chops on the twin attack of Destiny’s Door, its galloping rhythms courtesy of bass player Sophie Aurelia Young and drummer Reuben O’Donoghue and coming storm atmosphere make it one of the big highlights of their set.
Heavy ballad Two Odds Make An Even brings a bit of Cheap Trick influenced commerciality before final number Save Your Life shreds the last bit of any resistance to tatters.
Stylish, cool and with more than enough great material to assure attention, Star Circus certainly have something special about them, and that is certainly cause for celebration.
