It is the week of Ginger’s birthday, but tonight he is giving the presents. A short nine months since their last visit to Nottingham, The Wildhearts take a step down from the famed Rock City for the cosy Rescue Rooms, which is packed tighter than a tin of sardines ahead of the iconic headline show.
The Wildhearts – Meryl Streek
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham – 14 December 2025
Words And Photography: Matt Pratt
Uncharacteristically, the poised frontman and namesake for the timeless North Eastern rockers opens the show with an apology. Ginger has been feeling under the weather, but wants to reassure us that, although the show may be challenging, he has no intentions of calling things off and will bravely battle through.
With an assault of strobe lights, the show races into effect. Had he not told us, there would be no telling that there was any illness in the band. The well-toured operation shows their experience in tandem with a crowd well acquainted with their extensive back catalogue.
A tour of the decades takes us through well-worn favourites up to brand new unreleased works. The band has such a lengthy discography that Ginger has to admit that he did not even know which album some of the songs belong to.
It is a bold move to follow up a Rock City headline show with one at the Rescue Rooms, another fantastic venue, but notably smaller. The downgrade in size shows as late arrivals can hardly make it through the doors, let alone secure a suitable vantage point to see the stage.
The lack of space has caused no detriment to the spirit of the Geordie legend’s longstanding support, who are in great voice, ceaseless in their backing vocals all night.
It has been a long road with plenty of roadblocks for The Wildhearts. At times it has felt as though we would never see the revival of this long weathering band, yet the fans have never wavered.
Tonight is thunderous proof that until the day that the four-piece finally call it a day, the support will remain steadfast, which will hopefully encourage them to return to our beloved Rock City stage.
Meryl Streek
The atmospherically lit stage awaits our opener, Meryl Streek. A politically charged overture vibrates the intimate space before the haunting white pupils of the performer emerge from the darkness.
Meryl Streek offers brutally composed fury, the sort of wrath you would endure after turning up to a debate having failed to do your research.
The lyrical content of the wordsmith’s back catalogue is what you would expect to find attached to the aggressive thrashing of an electric guitar, but they are instead underpinned by a buttery smooth electronic bass line that completely changes your relationship with the protest.
Instead of inciting communal aggression towards the subject of Meryl Streek’s rage, the presentation actually drives you towards a more contemplative approach.
You are still welcome to be enraged, but encouraged to consider how we can topple the systems of oppression.
