October 19th 2025 –Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Supported by: Masca and Rosewater
The drive from home in Dorset to Portsmouth was ‘orrible! The A31 is never great, but when it’s flooded as well it’s the worst!
By the time I got parked up in Portsmouth (Southsea really), it had gone away and I was left with a cold dark October night. It was quite busy around this end of town so was looking forward to a big crowd. That didn’t materialise, but that’s shame of the locals. They missed an absolute treat of an evening.
I came across Spyres by accident on Spotify, after playing Spectors album “Here Come the Early Nights“. Spotify pops a few tracks out at you to see if you like them. “Sleep Forever” and “The Thing” popped up and I was immediately in pop heaven. Although “pop” underplays the talent as I’ll explain later.
Rosewater
It’s not that long ago these guys got to play Victorious Festival, so they’re making waves at the minute. Gosport based indie pop band, with a The 1975s sound, but grittier rock and great melodies. This short set was fantastic. Alex on lead vocals certainly has the character to pull off the lead band member and decent guitar work to boot. Add in the lead guitarist, Finn, also singing some great song. Great sound, great harmonies and I think we’ll hear a lot more from them in the next few years.
Alex (vocals, guitar), Ava (backing vocals, keytar), Will (drums, backing vocals), Finn (lead guitar, vocals), and Cameron (bass).
Masca
After a short break, the treat of a second support band on a Sunday night! Masca are from Bristol. These guys are a bit alt-rock, difficult to classify really. Tina has a fantastic strong voice, melodic, haunting at times, angry and rueful. Another great stage presence.
I always think drummers get a rough deal in write ups (like ignored!), so want to point out Jack’s drumming really holds the band together, sets the tone so the other two can play and sing at will. Very tight sound. Add in Ben’s moves and thumping bass and you have a great rock combo – I’ve never seen a bass player with so many pedals!!
The track “Stagefright” was a fave on the night for me, such a great sound and love it when all three musicians are getting equal billing through a song. Another band to go well in the next few years.
Tina Maynard (Lead vocals and guitar), Jack Hamilton (Drums, vocals) and Ben Holyoake (Bass and mesmerising moves).
Spyres
To finish off a night of new music, Spyres. These guys and girls have been smashing it on Spotify and as mentioned, popped up on the feed after a Spector album (Spotify is scary but good, I got Spyres, Idles and Biffy Clyro in a row!).
I hope I’m not offending any bands with my attempt to fit them into genres. BUT – my fave bands always seem to be way across many genres, the same with Spyres. They move from a hard edge chinzy pop sound, effortlessly to pure pop…and back to gritty angry/cutting lyrics.
All sung with the most melodic wavy sounds, reminiscent of OMD. One minute you’re watching Kylie, the next they’re hammering out sounds like The B52s (the cracking tune “Money”)!
The boys won my respect in their Celtic tops (Dundee 2 Celtic 0 earlier in the day). It didn’t affect their performance, hard edges drumming and bass set the rhythm for the girls.
It’s one strong melody after another tonight, starting with the fantastic “Only This Could Happen To Me”. I’d not heard “Fake ID” before but fantastic. Both Kiera and Emily play lead vocals and their harmonies are spot on. The songs are bitter sweet, friendly and happy – but their vocals can turn on you viciously. Amazing!! And all without the tune veering away from the sweet waves.
“Sleep Forever” again is such a mesmeric, wave, pure pop sound (with undertones) – the flow of lyrics is superb.. “This timе, we can sleep forever. In my mind, wе can be together. It seems everything is better in my daydreams, I like it up here in the clouds“
My faves coming into the gig were “The Thing” and “Otherside”, so not surprised these were held back to the end, Wonderful tunes!! And then we get a mosh pit for grunge-like “Test” – a friendly mosh, mind.
The sound is vibrant, punky, sassy, soothing and rocking. The lyrics are so strong, they could’ve been written by Scotland’s finest, Roddy Frame (check him out kids). So much edge and depth to the sound, I look forward to seeing these guys progress to the big time!
I was disappointed the crowd size seems to be maybe 150-200 (it The Wedge at the Wedgewood Rooms). All three of these bands will be commanding much bigger audiences in the years ahead.
I love the Beautiful Days festival. They have up coming bands on early in the day and Spyres would be a phenomenal addition for next year. I hope Jon Robb reads this – lol
Kiera McGuire, Emily Downie (singers/guitarist), Jude Curran (bass) and Alex White (drums),
Set List
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