MASSIVE WAGONS / THE VIRGINMARYS SCALA, LONDON

British live rock music is back and better than ever. At its heart are a couple of bands who are the most hard-working, passionate and entertaining musicians on the scene right now. Lancastrian rockers Massive Wagons and Macclesfield duo, The Virginmary’s who are both halfway through their ‘Triggered Tour’ and due to the amount of buzz around - this set of gigs is a total sell-out. Buzzing for this dynamic duo of bands, we join hundreds of others who’ve packed the legendary Scala Venue in Kings Cross for a doozy of a double headliner.

The VMs are one of the most honest, innovative, and energetic bands in Britain - how a 2 piece can make more noise than a whole orchestra of musicians is beyond me. A huge crowd has already arrived early to experience the Virginmary’s that is Ally Dickaty on guitar/vox and Danny Dolan on drums.

Whether they are headlining or not, the VMs will rock your socks off. These guys sure know how to create and perform bold, relevant hardcore rock songs.

Tonight’s setlist kicks off with one off their latest anthem ‘The Meds’ and instantly the crowd are in it and singing along. This song is manic, genius and catchy, we the fans are pulsing with energy and enjoyment - even my photographer, Eric Duvet, is getting in on the act.

Once again, taped up like Tyson Fury and about to do battle, Dolan is a heavy hitter, clearly visible with his drum kit fully up front on stage, we get the full-on drumming experience we expect from this sticksman. Danny is on fire being fueled by us the fans, tub-thumping and often standing over his drums, smashing his cymbals - leaving the audience in awe.

Tight as anything, up next is the truly classic ‘Portrait of Red’. Followed by Lies Lies Lies. As a reviewer, I don’t normally forget what I’m doing - but how could I not with this well-constructed setlist? Mind blown with the sheer electricity this duo delivers.

Frontman Ally Dickaty could literally sing the phone book with his uniquely Macclesfield twang and no-nonsense lyrics. Getting us going with NYC and Motherless Land.

Up next is another classic Devil Keeps Coming. Then it’s time for Just a Ride, followed by Killer. The truly brilliantly crafted Look Out for My Brother.

Where are you Now is next on this short yet stellar setlist.

Giving us a very happy ending, we hear the intro Bang, Bang, Bang which raises the roof of the Scala. An anthem as always to finish a sublime set. As Dolan bashes his kit for the last time, we are left wanting more and can’t wait for the lads to bring us another headline tour. The VirginMary’s smashed it.

Fresh from their hugely successful UK tour with Ugly Kid Joe which was an absolute showstopper, it’s a treat to see the Wagons as we like to call them on a headline tour. The Lancastrian Rockers formed in 2009 when they were literally ‘driving massive wagons’.

One of the UK’S hardest working bands, the brightly coloured dudes are renowned for their honest yet fun lyrics combined with high-energy riffs and beats.

Each track on the setlist is an anthem that is a crowd pleaser and is top heavy from their current best-selling album ‘Triggered’.

Baz explains how ‘TRIGGERED!’ stands out compared to the band’s previous albums: “I think this album is a lot more British sounding. I think we’ve managed to bring our sound more up-todate, it sounds fresh and exciting. It has much more of a punk vibe about it, but, that being said, it’s still full of everything we love about guitar music.”

It’s great to see these songs live and as they walk on stage at the Scala, the crowd go wild - clapping, jumping, and cheering and Mills et al take to the stage. Kicking off with Gone are the Days and of course, their title track Triggered.

Enigmatic frontman Baz Mills is one of the most entertaining singers we’ve seen. His banter and song introductions are up there with the best “I’m knackered after that, why do I write these fast songs”, he says.

Up next is the passionate, very angry yet entertaining Fuck the Haters - we all raise the roof at the Scala ‘hating’ along with the band.

Next on this stellar setlist is a firm fan favourite ‘Asshole’ followed by Sawdust. We are treated to Buck and Hallescrewya - try saying that after a couple of sherries.

The band are so tight, with a huge backline playing good, oldfashioned rock n’ roll; no thrills, honest good time sounds but with a present-day twist.

Crowd favourite and latest Massive Wagons anthem Skateboard’ is another impossibly catchy new song added to their superb setlist. The penultimate song is Ratio and this band have taken us on the ultimate rock n’ roll adventure of Massive Wagons old and new, the energy for a Monday night in London is electric and as the band finish with ‘In it Together’ we all unite for this final anthem.

I’m knackered and the band must be even more knackered! Ten out of ten for a truly huge dose of high-energy rock. The Wagons are still moving as they roll out the rest of this tour. Get your tickets now if they haven’t sold out already.

High-energy rock n’ roll at its best and a double headliner we’ll never forget.