Local Nights at The Fleece featuring: Bloodshot, Vicarage, Lykos, Skin Deep & Keyed Up

There’s no doubt the level of talent that is currently running through Bristol is extraordinary. If you’re not already part of the local scene, I urge you to get out there and catch some local shows. There are some proper gems out there that will give you a night out that is just as good as (if not better) than you’d get at the bigger club shows. Tonight’s gig at The Fleece was no exception.

The night started off with Oxford based hardcore band Keyed Up. It can be difficult to stand out in such a genre as, let’s be honest, there’s enough of it out there, but these guys certainly knew how to have a good time. Roughly half way through the set the frontman shouts “We’re a hardcore band and we don’t agree with Theresa May!” - the simple mockery of political cliché did not go unappreciated.

Following Keyed Up was Skin Deep hailing from Exeter. Is it time to coin the term “Metal Rock”? Their sound is the perfect mix of the blisteringly heavy riffs of your favorite metal bands while keeping a real gritty tonality to the otherwise hard rock based vocal. Keep an eye on these guys, if there’s any justice in the world, these guys are going places.

Next up were local “pretty boy punk” kids Lykos. Evidently these were the lads that everyone had come down to catch. As soon as they hit the stage the night turns from local scouting show to outright teenage party. This, however, did not discount from how good of a live band these guys are. Every song was tight and energetic without feeling over-rehearsed or disingenuous. Their latest release “Higher” was an instant crowd pleaser and one of the highlights of their set.

The penultimate band of the night were Vicarage.