Christmas is a time where friends and family get together to enjoy each others company and tonight is no different. Although the musicians tonight are not necessarily blood related, there is a kinship and camaraderie between them that is equal to any family bond. While this evening is raising awareness for two for charities, Carlisle Eden Mind and Macmillan cancer support (all proceeds from ticket sales will be split between the two) it has more of a feel of an end of year party where the bands can pay homage to their favourite artists and have some fun.
Straight away the Brickyard has almost filled up to capacity for the openers Poseidon's Kiss doing their best Blink 182 impression. Dressed up like the trio in the first date video they smash through their 15 minute set of pop punk bangers finishing with the classics 'what's my age again' and 'all the small things' suitably warming the crowd up.
Bringing a darker mood and excellent musicianship to proceedings, Toolz manage to fit a multiple song set of Tool covers into their 15 minute slot, which is easier said than done considering most Tool song run longer than average.
Ramping up the energy, Haushinka speed through their Green Day set, including big sing a longs from the crowd during 'Basket Case' even managed a cameo from a saxophonist and a flute appearance during 'King for a Day'.
Bringing the heavier side of the evening, Droll Man captured the rawness and eccentricities of Mike Patton and crew ripping through a great set of Faith No More covers well suited to the bands style and persona.
A surprise highlight of the evening came in the form of TBK channelling their inner Scott Stapp dressed in white shirts and stone washed jeans. Huge sing a longs to their set of Creed covers gave the feeling of a karaoke night with your mates and it looked like the band were having all the fun, the smiles never leaving their faces.
The heaviest set of the night came in the form off Down to Our Last covering Bullet for My Valentine. The crowd were a little slow to get into it but as the band hammered through classics from the debut album 'The Poison' the crowd were soon into it, with the first mosh pit of the evening breaking out during the closing song of 'Tears Don't Fall'.
The penultimate act of the night belonged to the promoters of this evening, Three Cheers for Sweet DEVenge. Celebrating 20 years of the album that inspired their name, Three Cheer for Sweet Revenge. These boys who normally run everything from behind the scenes look just as comfortable on the stage and delivered a thoroughly enjoyable set.
Loser closes out the night. A perfect band to finish on, blasting through a slightly longer set of Motorhead classics. Debuting a new line up, the new iteration of the band doesn't miss a beat, finishing as you would expect with 'Ace of Spades'
All in all this was a fantastic display of all the local talent Carlisle has to offer and all the hard work that goes into these shows. Eight bands, one evening, multiple people playing multiple sets, everything running on schedule. We couldn't have asked for a better end to the year. Hopefully we will have more events like this in the future. I certainly hope so.
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