FOZZY + TAILGUNNER + MARISA AND THE MOTHS Saturday 7th February 2026 Dreamland Ballroom, Margate

Making their Margate debut, I’m sure there are many in the room who discovered the band through last year’s Maid of Stone Festival - and perhaps that’s why it’s already so busy, a fact that’s not lost on a delighted Marisa Rodriguez. The self proclaimed “weird but cool” quartet set the bar high with their distinctly modern take on heavy rock that’s less about bulldozing riffs and more about attitude. There’s a mood that comes from the edgy guitar work, enhanced by Rodriguez’ voice that is soaring, beautiful and occasionally vicious. She sings about her anxieties, inner struggles and emotions, exposing herself in a way that feels almost intrusive for the listener. But ultimately, we can all relate to the sentiment of forthcoming single ‘Nothing’s Getter Better’, which goes down a treat. ‘Choke’ is embraced with similar enthusiasm, generating the first major singalong of the evening. The set concludes with ‘Needy’, which cleverly utilises the soft-loud dynamics that Nirvana made into an art. A difficult band to categorise, but an easy band to love, Marisa and the Moths somehow turn personal agonies into music with the power to move and to uplift. 

As someone who adores Judas Priest, Tailgunner have me on side immediately with a look that resembles the metal gods at their leather and chains finest. I can’t remember the last time a young band made me smile quite so broadly, but watching Tailgunner feels like watching a revival of good old British heavy metal, in the best possible way. There is much of Iron Maiden in Tom ‘Bones’ Hewson’s galloping bass lines, Craig Cairns’ theatrical vocal delivery and the twin guitar mastery of Zach Salvini and Jara Solis (the latter standing in for regular guitarist Rhea Thompson), albeit a little faster and more frantic. Some of that frenzied energy comes from drummer Edoardo Mariotti who drives the irrepressible ‘White Death’ with spectacular precision. A joyful band to watch, Tailgunner attack the stage like their lives depend on it, wielding their guitars like weapons and breaking out all the iconic stage poses that make you wish you were that cool (or is that just me?!). But it wouldn’t mean anything if they didn’t have the songs to back it up, so I’m relieved to report that they sound just as good as they look. ‘Midnight Blitz’ is a classy metal anthem that feels lifted from the 80s (and I mean that as a compliment), and ‘Tears in Rain’ is catchier still, with an irresistible chorus that makes you want to throw your fists to the air. Am I now a little bit obsessed? Possibly. If you like your metal traditional, and appreciate a singer who can really sing, Tailgunner might just be your new favourite band. 

I quickly learn that everything about Fozzy is larger than life, from the monster riffs and huge choruses to Chris Jericho’s impressive selection of sparkly jackets. A natural entertainer, Jericho knows how to work the room, commanding the audience from an elevated platform at the centre of the stage, and causing rapture when he gets close to the front row. Admittedly, I have to Google why everyone keeps shouting “Y2J” at him, but it’s obviously a sign of appreciation! The energy on stage is enviable; Guitarist Rich Ward may have a few years on me, but he’s clearly got better knees, barely standing still for more than a few seconds as he launches himself around the stage. And really, energy is what Fozzy is all about - sometimes the vocal harmonies don’t quite land, but it barely even matters, especially when the audience is singing almost as loudly as the band. I’m surprised at just how many bangers are in the band’s arsenal, the kind of catchy, arena ready anthems that are so easy to pick up and enjoy, even if you’re a bit of a novice (like me!). Jericho’s vocals are certainly reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne, particularly on the thundering ‘Sane’, but stylistically Fozzy feel closer to Shinedown, every song an adrenaline blast designed to fire you up. A cover of ABBA’s ‘SOS’ might seem like a bit of a curveball, but doesn’t derail the momentum built by the likes of ‘Fall in Line’ or ‘Spotlight’. On the contrary, arms are in the air, and I’ve seldom seen a crowd so engaged. 

In fact, if you measured a band on how their audience reacted to them, Fozzy would come out on top. When Jericho mentions it’s the group’s first visit to Margate for many years (joking that he’s going to re-name the town ‘Mar-great’!), he’s met with an impromptu chant of “please come back” which says it all. A group who don’t care how seriously you take them, but care seriously about delivering a good time, it’s hard to imagine anyone leaving disappointed. A cover of ‘Crazy Train’ brings the evening to a close, and though covers are very much part of Fozzy history and undeniably good fun, they don’t really need them - their own ‘Judas’ is an anthem of their own creation, and Fozzy make this sort of thing seem very easy. 

It’s cold outside, but I’m leaving Dreamland very sweaty and hot - surely the mark of an evening well spent! The tour continues across the UK - get your tickets here: https://fozzyrock.com/tour/

SETLIST 

Fall in Line/One Crazed Anarchist/Lights Go Out/Painless/Spotlight/SOS/Burn Me Out/I Still Burn/Nowhere to Run/Army of One/Sane/Drinkin’ with Jesus/Do You Wanna Start a War/Purifier/Enemy/Judas/Crazy Train