Yet another concert for me in the midst of a storm. This seems to be becoming a habit of mine. Fortunately, once I have crossed the Severn Bridge (damned will it ever be the Prince Of Wales bridge to us Welshies), the weather seems to ease off just a little in time for me to join the winding queue for Massive Wagons around the SWX Bristol without getting soaked to the bone.
Massive Wagons – Florence Black – Cam Cole
SWX Bristol – 23 November 2024
Words And Photography: Georgia Brittain
Cam Cole
I get into the venue right as Cam Cole takes to the stage. It’s a slow, bluesy start, and I always admire anyone who can play more than one instrument at once. It is not what I would usually watch at a concert without a substance or two, but I think this is a nice warmup for tonight’s general vibe.
Especially as Cam is on so early, there is still a winding queue outside to get through doors, so coming into blues turning to rock is a great entry. The songs get a little heavier throughout the set and the crowd is doing the little head bob you always see as a Metal sign of approval.
Florence Black
It is no secret that Florence Black is the band I am here for tonight. From listening to a few conversations in the crowd and considering how close we are to Wales, I am not alone. Seeing they only have 30 minutes makes me nervous to only see a handful of songs, but I am not left disappointed.
We get a handful of new tracks from the latest album, Bed Of Nails, as well as the older staple pieces. One song absent from the set is the cover of Breadfan.
I find myself in a conversation with some punters about how this cover is no longer needed for these boys, having enough incredible originals to win a crowd without needing a song that is known.
In the fear of turning this into a Florence Black review when they are not the headliners, I’ll leave it at the set was good, the boys were tight, and I can’t wait to see them headline again. 10/10 as per my usual. I am only a little biased. 
Massive Wagons
Admittedly, I have not heard any of these guys’ music prior to tonight. As Massive Wagons take to the stage, it is not what I expected. While I was thinking of dad rock types, thanks to the type of punters in the crowd, I was surprised to see a hard rock band with high energy.
Baz, the lead singer, is running and jumping all over the stage, and the rest of the band looks more than happy to play Bristol tonight. There is plenty of crowd interaction from the singer, which is a surefire way to get the crowd going.
The hook-drenched Missing On TV kicks off the set, the first of six songs from the outstandingly good Earth To Grace. Throughout the set, there is no one not jumping, head bopping or singing along to their anthems.
It is impossible to be in a bad mood while Massive Wagons are playing. They just give off a general good vibe and happy atmosphere whilst they are on stage.
I feel almost disappointed that I don’t know the songs Massive Wagons are playing. That definitely needs to be changed at some point in the very near future, as this band is a pure joy to see live.
