Call of the Wild 2024: A Weekend of Music, Rain, and Unforgettable Performances

Established in 2019, Call of the Wild has built a reputation for showcasing up and coming bands, as well as giving legends of the genre an opportunity to strut their stuff.

And this year was no exception!

Smaller than it’s next-door-neighbour Stonedead, Call Of The Wild packs no less a punch and attracts many of the same crowd, and the Lincolnshire Showground welcomed rockers of all tastes and ages to this friendly, intimate weekend.

It’s not hard to see why COTW has been nominated twice for Best Family and Best Grassroots Festival at the UK Festival Awards. It’s well organised, with the two main stages operating on a “one on one off” rotation, meaning there’s pretty much a constant stream of music from late morning until 11pm for three days straight.

Add to that a well-priced bar (with a third stage), decent street food, good camping, a tattoo booth and excellent merch and it’s a winning formula.

But what about the bands?

With over 50 acts there was something for everyone and they covered plenty of rock and metal sub-genres.

Day 1

Day 1 got off to a strong start with The Heat Inc kicking things off on the Kilmeister Stage. We first reviewed them a year ago when they supported the mighty Desperate Measures NZ at the Water Rats in Kings Cross. Today they held the morning crowd with some good tunes and great stage presence. We caught up with vocalist Jon Dodd for an intimate interview later in the afternoon.

The crowd grew as the music rumbled on throughout the day. Over on the Southall Lawless stage (named in remembrance of Nick “Ringo” Southall and Mikey Lawless) Loz Campbell and We Three Kings gave us standout performances before Muddibrooke brought the house down. They had a lot of support, with many fans sporting their trademark black stripes on their faces. It was brilliant to see them, and so many other strong female bands and musicians throughout the whole weekend.

More Friday highlights included the brilliant Dobermann. The Italian glam rockers included a tribute to Lemmy in the form of the Motörhead / Girlschool classic ‘Please Don’t Touch’ and finished with vocalist Paul Del Bello breathing fire – and the day wasn’t over just yet. Last up on the Kilmeister stage were the legendary Quireboys. The intro music of ‘The Boys to Entertain You’ from 70s sitcom ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’ set the playful tone and when Spike appeared in trademark shades and bandanna, and wearing a white suit they were off. Their sleazy, boogie tinged rock and roll went down a storm with the COTW crowd as Spike gyrated and threw his mic stand around and they knocked out classics like ‘Jesse Louise’, ‘Tramps and Thieves’ and ‘7 O’Clock’.

A great end to the day!

Day 2

Day 2 saw many campers appear in the arena sporting South of Salem merch. It seemed that they were going to be the draw of the day – but more of that later…..

White Raven Down opened the Kilmeister stage, and what an opening set! The trio gave us a high energy performance that really woke up the growing crowd. Over in the bar area, and on the Trailblazer stage, Spyder Byte had attracted quite a crowd. Their sleazy rock sound will, we think, see them getting signed any time soon.

As the rain started to fall and the umbrellas and ponchos came out, Star Circus turned the Southall Lawless stage into a big top as they welcomed dancing girls The Rocket Queens on stage who set off giant confetti cannons – much to the delight of the crowd.

Formidable Welsh trio Häxen kept the girl power going on the Kilmeister Stage before 80’s veterans Wrathchild (featuring original vocalist Rocky Shades) showed us that Glam never died as they tore through both new and vintage material.

Bad Touch kept the energy levels up as the rain kept coming. “The heavens have blessed us with the gift of water” said vocalist Stevie Westwood as his band gave us a superb set of blues-tinged tock and roll. The highlight of their set was an inspired cover of Alan’s Morissette’s ‘Hand in My Pocket’. It was simply joyous to see every battle-jacket-wearing rocker singing along to this anthem.

Closing the Southall Lawless stage was the mighty South of Salem. The highly anticipated performance did not disappoint, and Bournemouth’s finest horror fans brought pyro, smoke and flashing coffins to Lincolnshire. The rain stopped early in the set and the crowd in front of the stage (the largest of the weekend so far) were ready to party. What a set they gave us. This band is going to be huge – and deservedly so! We hear they also have their own branded beer – now THAT’S rock and roll!!

The day was closed by Finnish thrashers Lost Society. The 4-piece have been around for almost 15 years, so they know what they’re doing – and it showed! Their fast, aggressive and technically brilliant brand of Metal went down a storm as they gave us a set drawn from over their career. Vocalist Samy Elbanna looked fantastic and held the crowd in the palm of his hand until it was time for the happy crowd to retire to tents and do it all again tomorrow.

Day 3

Day 3 brought rain. A LOT of rain. The lightening even managed to stall the show for a short time, but due to some excellent organisation we were back on track and back on time with the minimum of disruption.

It was another superb day of rock, and we were looking forward to seeing one or two bands further up the bill. We last saw These Wicked Rivers a couple of years ago at Stonedead, and were eager to see them again. First, though, there were some great acts to grace the stages.

Takeaway Thieves gave us a superb display of old school rock with a touch of glam on the Kilmeister Stage while Waking the Angels and Kitt Trigg blew the roof off the Southall Lawless Stage and ensured the muddy, wet crowd forgot the rain and focussed on the rock!

The family affair that are Not Now Norman kept the Trailblazer Stage rocking with a huge performance. These guys are one to watch out for – maybe a main stage appearance next year??

As Hush Money took to Southall Lawless stage the sun came out and it was suddenly like the middle of Summer. English weather!!

Tom Kilner brought us some good old bluesy Southern rock and some sweet guitar playing as the sun continued to shine before experienced Bristolians Sons of Liberty carried on the feel over on the Kilmeister Stage, and vocalist Russ Grimmett joined the crowd on the wet grass to sing and dance with the fans.

We had been told that Daxx & Roxanne were good, and they did not disappoint. The London-based Swiss 4-piece leapt and jumped around the stage and gave us a set full of massive tunes that had groove and swing. It’s easy to see why Hard Rock Hell Magazine said that “Daxx & Roxane are on the fast track to Superstardom…”

As mentioned, we were looking forward to seeing These Wicked Rivers on the Kilmeister Stage and WOW! What a set they gave us. The stage was dressed with flowers and standard lamps as the band appeared and proceeded to give the crowd one of the performances of the festival. The bearded lads from Derby are a force to be reckoned with, and their brand of rock appealed to everyone there.

We were nearing the end of the festival, but there were still two huge performances to go. Closing the Southall Lawless Stage were another all-female band. The Hot Damn had been causing a stir around the site, their cameraman following them around as they documented their day. This culminated in a massive stage show complete with inflatable unicorns, beach balls, light-up wands and confetti (you really had to be there!). Their energy and stage presence matched their music, and the whole crowd lapped up the catchy melodies and guitar harmonies. The band took this opportunity to film a new music video – with the Call Of The Wild faithful as willing extras! They launched dozens of beach balls into the crowd before setting off pyro and confetti canons while they played the song twice through. They also gave us a fabulous rendition of Donna Summer’s ‘Hot Stuff’. What a set!

As darkness fell on the last day, it was time to welcome the legendary Tyketto to the Kilmeister Stage, and what a closing set we got! Formed in 1987 in New York City, vocalist Danny Vaughn led his troops through a career-spanning set that had every hand in the air and the crowd singing along to every chorus. Vaughn commanded the stage like the pro he is and his voice sounded as good as it had ever done. The band were tight and slick, and “new” boy Harry Scott Elliot amazed us with his guitar work.

What a day, and what a weekend. As the rockers disappeared into the night and back to their tents, thoughts were already turning to next year……..

This was our first time at Call of the Wild and we had an absolute blast. A small, intimate weekend where new talent is allowed to shine and a few legends get to thrill the crowds; where every single person smiles and says hello; where security laugh and dance and it feels as though they are part of the audience; where thrashers have a beer with glam rockers, and where there really is something for everyone.

Call of the Wild returns to the Lincolnshire Showground from 29 May to 1 June 2025. Confirmed acts include: Suicide Bombers, Tailgunner, Trench Dogs, Continental Lovers and Pryma.

See you there!!

Call of the Wild 2024: A Weekend of Music, Rain, and Unforgettable Performances @ RockNews @RockNewsUS