Massive Wagons + Scarlet Rebels - Dreamland Ballroom, Margate Thursday 30th April 2026

Either it’s because it’s a school night, or the people of Margate don’t have much taste, but it’s pretty quiet in the Dreamland Ballroom. It’s great news for me as I wander up to the barrier with ease (despite a detour to the toilet and another to the bar), but possibly disappointing for Massive Wagons, who have earned a reputation as one of the more exciting live bands on the scene and deserve the sellout shows they’ve achieved in other parts of the country. 

A modest, but pleasingly enthusiastic crowd has formed in time for openers Scarlet Rebels, and it’s obvious that many are thrilled by the Welsh rockers inclusion on the bill. Starting strong with the euphoric ‘Secret Drug’ and similarly uplifting ‘Take You Home’, these lads certainly know how to pen a catchy tune. It’s a breathless introduction, with barely a moment for applause between songs, but when the opportunity arises, the response is rapturous. An invitation from frontman Wayne Doyle to join Rebel Club is accepted, as he guides us through the call and response ‘woahs’ that make ‘Grace’ so special. Admittedly, he sings it somewhat better than we do, and though his voice is certainly one of the band’s strengths, it’s lead guitarist Chris “CJ” Jones who it’s difficult to take your eyes from, a man who is never stationary and delivers some show stopping solos whilst looking every bit the rock star. When Doyle asks if the Rebels should come back for a headline performance, the answer seems to be a unanimous yes; ‘It Was Beautiful’ indeed. 

Massive Wagons don’t deal in subtlety; from Baz Mills’ lairy socks (emblazoned with Pennywise the clown), to the broad smiles that are almost permanently present on the faces of guitarists Adam Thistlethwaite and Stevie Holl, everything about their image exudes a sense of fun. At the centre of it all, frontman Baz brings an energy so infectious that you feel almost guilty for standing in one place. High kicking, jumping and bounding around the stage, he never lets up for a moment, quite a feat given he has to sing too! The joy that radiates from the stage is reflected by the audience, helped by the band’s knack for catchy anthems, often with a message of positivity. There’s a sense that this is a band for everyone, particularly evident during ‘F*** the Haters’ when young and old shout the chorus with glee. 

Musically, Massive Wagons deliver no-nonsense rock, good and loud, just as nature intended. Taking classic rock as the template, they successfully update the genre with a modern stamp. The influences are obvious; the introduction to ‘Hero’ pure AC/DC with a riff only a few steps removed from ‘Have a Drink On Me’, but Mills’ snarling vocal ensures an identity that is entirely Wagons. ‘Germ’ is reminiscent of The Wildhearts, the bouncy upbeat chorus at odds with the barbed lyrics directed tonight at Boris Johnson. ‘Back to the Stack’ is a fitting tribute to the late Rick Parfitt with a familiar Quo style guitar hook, but it’s heavier, celebratory and an absolute setlist staple. 

Though I miss some of the older songs (bring back ‘Nails’ I say!), it must be increasingly difficult to put a setlist together. The Wagons have an ever expanding catalogue, and given that they specialise in crowd pleasers like the raucous ‘Bangin’ In Your Stereo’ and ‘China Plates’, just about any song from any album would go down well. I’m impressed by the dedication of the fans; Down the front with the die-hards, I’m actually a little frightened that I’ll be found out as less of a devotee! Many know every word, which is pretty special given ‘Generation Prime’ has some fairly rapid word play! 

The ‘Everywhere We Go’ tour is almost at its conclusion, but it’s clear that wherever these Wagons roll, a good time will follow. It’s hard to imagine anyone could go to see Massive Wagons or Scarlet Rebels and not enjoy themselves - those of us who made it to Margate this evening know what everyone else was missing. 

SCARLET REBELS 

Wayne Doyle - vocals/guitar

Chris “CJ” Jones - guitar

Gary Doyle - drums

Carl Oag - bass

SETLIST

Secret Drug/Take You Home/You Take My Breath Away/Streets of Fire/Grace/It Was Beautiful/Declining/Let Me In 

MASSIVE WAGONS

Barry “Baz” Mills - vocals

Adam Thistlethwaite - guitar

Stevie Holl - guitar

Adam “Bowz” Bouskill - bass 

Alex Thistlethwaite - drums 

SETLIST 

Everywhere We Go/Fun While it Lasted/Please Stay Calm/Missing on TV/F*** the Haters/Germ/Hero/Glorious/Night Skies/The Good Die Young/Generation Prime/House of Noise/Bangin’ in Your Stereo/China Plates/Back to the Stack/In It Together