by Arta Gailuma
— Photojournalist —
February 2, 2019, at O2 Institute in Birmingham, UK —
Following successful label festivals in Milan, Los Angeles, and Stockholm, FRONTIERS ROCK UK is the latest addition to the brand. Presented by Frontiers Music and The Academy Group the event was held at the O2 Institute in Birmingham on 2nd February 2019.
Six great bands were on the bill showcasing UK’s rock talent:
Inglorius
Wayward Sons
Vega
Bigfoot
Doomsday Outlaw
City Of Thieves
Stage openers tonight were London hard rock three-piece City Of Thieves. Played festivals like Ramblin’ Man Fair, Bloodstock and Planet Rockstock, these guys have created plenty of buzz around their name. And I do have to say, for a three-piece band they did make quite an impression- a strong set with powerful vocals- definitely, a great start to the night!
Next ones on stage were Derbyshire five-piece Doomsday Outlaw. Playing plenty of pieces from their latest 2018 album Hard Times they were winning the crowd over with soulful vocals and killer riffs and do have to mention the brilliant interaction between all the members of the band. A busy year ahead for these guys playing festivals and touring with Jizzy Pearl, Graham Bonnet Band, and Wayward Sons.
Wigan hard rockers Bigfoot needed no introduction here- the crowd was excited to see them fist pumping and singing along and I noticed a fair amount of fans in the room wearing bands merch. The five-piece formed in 2014 and have since then built quite a following. Their self-titled debut album reached no. 11 in the 2018 Planet Rock magazine readers poll and the band are currently writing new material for their second album, to be released this year.
Released their fifth album Only Human in May 2018 and fresh from touring the UK with Skid Row, next on stage was rock sextet, Vega. Whether we put them in the AOR or melodic rock category, who cares, the group knows how to deliver catchy rock songs and give crowd plenty of entertainment.
One more great band tonight here were Wayward Sons. Formed by songwriter-musician- producer Toby Jepson (Little Angels, Fastway, Gun), their debut album Ghosts Of Yet To Come did see its release in autumn 2017. For such a new band, Sons have built quite a following. Band exuded so much energy tonight and passed it over to the crowd and all the fans were singing along to some good old fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Finally, the covers came off the white drum set that has been sitting at the back of the stage for the whole evening and it was time for the headliner.
Formed in 2014 and fronted by former Trans-Siberian Orchestra singer Nathan James, Inglorious, who just have released their third album Ride To Nowhere is currently on a UK tour and Frontiers Rock festival in Birmingham was part of it.
With a stressful year behind when three band members suddenly left, Nathan has come up with a new line up and has turned the sudden change into hard- earned fortune. The group seems to be confident and rocking the venues across the UK and Europe.
Tonight’s set consisted of pieces taken from all three band’s albums and a cover of Alanis Morissette’s song “Uninvited”. The hauntingly beautiful piece did finish with a guitar solo by 19-year-old Danny Dela Cruz. With a swagger of a rock star, dressed in a black fur coat, the young musician cleared any last doubt on his ability to be the lead guitarist.
At the end of the set, while the stage was sinking in deep blue dim, the crowd was tirelessly screaming: “One more song!”. And they were rewarded with not only one, but two pieces. The evening was nearly over, but there was a surprise to come. There was that moment when we could hear Nathan’s voice, but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, there he was – on the balcony, and then slowly making his way through the crowd singing “Holy Water”.
There is still little time to catch Inglorious on the remaining European dates now in February and they also will be playing at the Frontiers Rock Milan festival acoustic VIP party.
So, that was the first Frontiers Rock UK festival and, I think, a great success. Hopefully, we will see it return next year even bigger and stronger.
Frontiers Rock UK Festival 2019 Concert Phoo Gallery
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Event site: https://www.facebook.com/events/2082439558467403/
Label: http://www.frontiers.it
Frontiers Rock Festival: https://www.frontiersrockfestival.com
For those interested to catch original Frontiers Rock Festival- its 6th edition will be taking place on April 27-28, at Live Club Trezzo Milano, Italy. The headliners for this event will be Alan Parsons on Saturday night and Journey’s former lead vocalist Steve Augeri on Sunday.
The headline of VIP acoustic party on pre-festival Friday night will be an exclusive show by Johnny Gioeli and Deen Castronovo.
