Rockmantic 2025 - 14th & 15th November, Yardbirds, Grimsby

With a name like Rockmantic, you might expect a February festival for Valentine’s Day rock-heads, but this year’s Grimsby edition — held Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November — proved that rock romance thrives perfectly well on a dark, rainy weekend in November. Across two nights, the event offered a love-struck lineup and an atmosphere that left every attendee feeling thoroughly warmed, welcomed, and plugged into something bigger than themselves.

Originally launched in 2013 in Carlisle, Rockmantic has expanded over the years, and 2025 marks its third outing in Grimsby. The decision to branch out has paid off: the Yardbirds Rock Club version has quickly earned a reputation for being tightly curated, high-quality, and fiercely loyal to showcasing the best modern rock acts around.

A Venue Built for Rock

Yardbirds is a compact, two-tiered indoor venue so the layout and atmosphere lend themselves to exactly this kind of event. Established in 2007 and later renovated during lockdown, the club combines intimacy with excellent visibility — everyone can see the stage wherever they stand because of the elevated stage. Flames painted along the walls amplify the warmth of the room.

Yardbirds is well respected for its loud, punchy mix, and since the refurbishment it boasts a state-of-the-art lighting system and a powerful new PA that delivers superb sound quality. The rig comfortably handles complex live setups with strong monitoring and a clear, professional front-of-house sound that makes every band feel bigger. 

Merch tables lined the mixing desk and left side, giving the bands much-needed income and offering fans a chance to support their favourites directly.

Ace of Kings

Scunthorpe’s Ace of Kings kicked off the weekend at the early hour of 6:10pm — a notoriously difficult early slot — but they rose to the challenge with confidence and charm, despite the initial lack of attendees at an early hour. This five-piece (Jonny Bilton on vocals, Oliver James and Josh Grinnell on guitar, Ben Hughes on bass, and Adam Lazenby on drums) opened with their most streamed song, ‘Watch It Burn’, immediately proving they weren’t fazed by the thinner early crowd.

Their hard-rock energy was infectious. Jonny’s confident, friendly banter engaged the crowd, especially as he proudly mentioned the band’s placement in Heat 2 of the Stonedead Festival poll. They definitely deserve your vote and I hope to see them there next year. 

Clever lyricism, memorable melodies, and tight musicianship made them a surprisingly strong opener. Speaking to them afterwards, their warmth offstage matched their energy onstage. ‘Rebels and Renegades’ was a standout. Filling in as a last-minute replacement for Murder in the Airwaves, they didn’t just fill a gap — they set the tone for the whole weekend.

Verdict: A fantastic start. Absolutely worth seeing again.

The Soul Revival

The Soul Revival brought a heavier, groove-soaked rock sound that shifted the night’s energy into deeper, more emotional territory. Formed in 2023, the band — Steve Nunn (vocals), Andy Dove (guitar), Karl Selickis (drums), and Matt Higgins (bass) — have already built a growing fanbase, and it’s clear why.

Steve’s classic-rock vocals were both powerful and emotive, and his crowd work was just as entertaining, delivered with a distinctively Brummie charm that gave him a likeable stage presence. Their sound blends classic influences with a modern edge: crisp, dynamic, and authentically performed. A particularly moving moment came with ‘Heart So Hollow’, introduced as a song about a friend the band lost “far too soon.” Photos of fans’ own lost loved ones were included in their music video — a touching communal gesture that quieted the room for a moment of reflection.

Maintaining momentum until the end, their set commanded attention. To close their set, they treated the audience to their upcoming single ‘Rock Star’, an upbeat track set for a late-November release. Andy Dove’s guitar solos were a highlight — technically impressive and captivating from start to finish.

Verdict: A tight, authentic, emotionally charged performance that kept the momentum climbing.

Takeaway Thieves

The sleaze-rock swagger arrived with Takeaway Thieves, a Blackpool outfit delivering old-school rock with a glam twist. Frontman Peter McLoughlin strutted onstage with a Mick Jagger confident swagger, flanked by Ben Gibson (lead guitar), Neil Hunter (rhythm guitar), Max Yates (drums), and last-minute stand-in bassist Josh Carvell (filling in for the ill Adam “The Rev” Hall).

Their riff-driven, glam-tinged hard rock ignited the audience, pulling people closer to the stage. Songs like ‘Kicking My Heart Around’ and ‘Gypsy’ shook the dance floor — literally — with stomps that vibrated.

They dedicated ‘Crazy Horse’ to Ozzy Osbourne, complete with an Ozzy-style wail from Peter, winning the crowd instantly. Their set was theatrical, confident, and perfectly suited to Yardbirds’ punchy sonic landscape.

Verdict: Big swagger, tight delivery, irresistible energy.

Star Circus

Star Circus brought a melodic, classic-rock flavour to the night, drawing influence from Queen, Thin Lizzy, and Def Leppard while maintaining a modern sensibility. The lineup — Dave Winkler (vocals/guitar), Sophie Aurelia Young (bass/vocals), Santiago Periotti (guitar/vocals), and Reuben O'Donoghue (drums/vocals) — are seasoned performers with a polished sound.

That said, the set started somewhat shakily. Their first few songs suffered from some vocal tuning issues and mismatched harmonies. However, by the time they reached ‘Chained to You’ — the first single from their second album ‘From the Wreckage’ (released in June) — the band had found their footing. Harmonies tightened, confidence rose, and the energy in the room lifted accordingly.

Verdict: A rocky start, but promising by the end.

This House We Built

Closing the Friday night was Scarborough’s own This House We Built, who made a masterful musical mansion of sound with Scott Wardell doing vocals and guitar, Andy Jackson on guitar, Chris Mayes on drums, and Wayne Dowkes-White on bass. 

From their first song, the floor filled. Their layered sound — strong vocals, crisp guitar lines, rhythmic confidence — created a big-room feel in a small venue. ‘Old Haunts’, from their debut album, earned roaring applause, and Scott’s frontmanship carried the set with assurance. They brought it home by ending with ‘Coming Home to You’ enabling the crowd to sing along with the catchy chorus. 

Formed shortly before the world shut down in 2020, they’ve built a wall of sound, blending classic rock, hard rock, nu-metal and funk — all tied together with a modern melodic edge.

Verdict: A strong, cohesive, melodic headliner that ended Friday on a high.

Paradise Sins

Kicking off the Saturday leg was Paradise Sins — melodic hard rock with a gothic edge and they started the second day all singing and dancing, literally. Frontman Luis Riley Morrison, flanked by guitarists Dan James and Conor Frampton, bassist Dav Fortei, and drummer Zack Morris, delivered a confident, high-tempo set that immediately set the tone for a packed night ahead.

Adding a unique twist, they were joined on stage by two of The Lost Girls, a dance troupe from Nottingham, Sandy Alice and Miss Militia, whose attitude and nightclub-cabaret flair hyped the crowd so that the opening performance was a visual as well as musical spectacle. Their presence elevated the atmosphere and created a full-production vibe. 

Formed in 2022 and newly signed to Tower Rock Management, Paradise Sins already feel stage-seasoned and are a band to watch out for. Their sound blends melodic hooks with a shadowy tone and they quickly had the crowd clapping and dancing along. Luis asked, “Can you help us make some magic?” and they created an enchanting opening, ending with ‘Voodoo Love’, which had the crowd bewitched and chanting with them. It's no sin to love this band because they sound like paradise! 

Verdict: A high-impact, charismatic opener with great showmanship and an already well-defined identity — definitely one to watch.

Dead Zebras 

Next on stage were Dead Zebras, a fast-rising London rock act formed in 2023, blending 80s hair-metal attitude with modern rock hooks. With George on vocals, Ky on guitar, Jamie on bass, and Lukas on drums, they arrived with big energy and quickly lifted audience participation another level.

Their set was packed with catchy choruses and crowd-friendly moments, including a rock cover of Robbie Williams’ ‘Let Me Entertain You’, which did exactly that, as voices and hands across the room joined in. Original track ‘Picture’ proved especially memorable, and ‘What I Need’ pushed the momentum even higher, its hook landing with the growing crowd.

Frontman George, complete with tasselled jacket and natural showmanship, led a playful call-and-response chant of “Nah, nah, nah-nah”, turning the room into a united sing-back.

Verdict: Confident, catchy, and crowd-ready — Dead Zebras are building momentum fast.

Liberty Slaves

Mid-evening the energy really rolled with Yorkshire's own Liberty Slaves, who delivered solid, tight hard rock and moved the event to heavier territory. Formed in 2008 and hailing from Huddersfield, the band features Ryan Meehan on vocals, Craig Hopkins on bass, Shanx on lead guitar, Wozza on rhythm guitar, and Andy on drums, who arrived well-rehearsed and ready to push the energy up a notch.

Ryan’s gravelly vocals brought a raw edge that matched the band’s heavier rock direction, giving their performance texture and bite. Their set included attitude-driven favourite ‘Ain’t That a Bitch’ and new track ‘Queen Unseen’, which proved immediately catchy and well-received. They also showcased ‘In The Struggle’, reflecting on the challenges of band life — and although “the struggle is real,” they made every second look fun, effortless, and fuel-charged.

Verdict: A solid, gritty, and assured hard-rock performance that raised the weight and intensity of the night.

Victory or Die

Up next from Scotland came Victory or Die, a high-energy rock/metal outfit with big riffs and strong stage presence. Formed in 2022, the band features Jason Sweeney on vocal and guitar, Andy “Paws” Christie on lead guitar, Brain Stewart on bass and Carlos Marin on drums. 

They opened with ‘The Rock Revolution’ and immediately ramped up the revelry and intensity, with raucous sing-alongs, and an unmistakable sense that the audience was gearing up. The mix held strong with drums and guitars cutting through clearly as the venue filled up. 

The set was packed with showmanship: Andy tore into epic guitar solos, sometimes playing behind his head, while Carlos impressed with expert drumstick twirling. Jason led the audience in a confident call-and-response chant — “When I say victory, you say die, die, die!” — which had the crowd fully engaged. The set ended theatrically with ‘Death Trap’ and a huge gong behind the drummer, leaving a lasting impression of Scottish flair and rock-and-roll bravado.

Verdict: Loud, theatrical, and expertly delivered — Victory or Die brought big riffs, high energy, and full crowd engagement to the stage.

Moskito

Hailing from the East Midlands, Moskito took the stage next, marking their two-year anniversary with a confident, high-energy set. Fronted by Jake Rudd on vocals, with Will Rudd on bass, Joe Desmond and Sam Beck on guitars, and Drew Moore on drums, the band delivered a darker, contemporary indie-punk sound, packed with heavy riffs and edgy melodies.

By this point, the venue was full but never felt cramped, the crowd hyped and on their feet, singing along and jumping to the infectious energy. Jake’s vocals, when not screaming, carried a confident indie edge, while the band’s natural camaraderie and stage interaction made their performance feel effortless. Drew’s drum solo drew particular attention, adding a thrilling highlight to the set, while the guitars and rhythm section combined for a punchy, electric performance.

Verdict: Modern, energetic, and expertly executed — Moskito’s confident stage presence had the crowd fully engaged and dancing.

Bullets and Octane

As the penultimate act, Bullets and Octane brought a dose of hard rock pedigree from across the Atlantic. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and later based in Southern California, the band has been touring internationally since 1998, sharing stages with acts such as Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, and Flogging Molly. Fronted by a tight, seasoned unit, they delivered a punchy set with energy and showmanship.

The crowd responded enthusiastically, singing along and feeding off the band’s high-octane performance. With a mix of polished hard rock and relentless live energy, Bullets and Octane warmed the stage for the weekend’s headliner, leaving the audience ready for the final act.

Verdict: Internationally seasoned, energetic, and crowd-focused — a powerful set that set the tone for the finale.

C J Wildheart

Closing out the weekend, C J Wildheart delivered a finale packed with power and stagecraft. Drawing on his work with The Wildhearts, the set featured tight guitar work, commanding vocals, and moments of full audience participation. By the final chord, the roar from the crowd made it clear: this was a rock weekender to remember!

Verdict: Familiar, energetic, and expertly performed — a high-octane conclusion to a weekend of excellent live rock.