The Bloobs Open the Night – Surprise Set & Comedy Chaos

Looking uncannily like Kelsy Karter and the Heroines in fancy dress, “Australian” band The Bloobs entered the stage to the strains of the Home and Away theme tune. There followed a highly entertaining and light hearted six song set, interspersed with humour, to warm up the crowd.

We Are The Virus and Tuna on Toast, see the lead singer (looking not unlike Kelsey in a Covid mask), instantly spark up the atmosphere, before introducing Joyride as their first single declaring `The Bloobs’’ motto is ‘worst is first’. Thanking ‘the bloke from The Strokes’ for their invite, the comedy routine continues and My Drummer Is A Sl*t raises audible laughter in the crowd before they close the set with two quality offerings in the shape of Yeah, and This Guy Rains Down On Me.

The pig-tailed guitarist greatly resembling Matt Peach in a ‘Where’s Wally’ costume gives a real taste of the musicianship that the night will bring.

Kelsy Karter & The Heroines Hit Hard with a High-Energy Set

Following a brief costume change, Kelsy Karter and the Heroines re-enter confirming the real identity of The Bloobs and blast into a full throttle powerhouse version of Blondie’s Call Me. Kelsy and her band have toured extensively in 2025, and the set is well honed and proficient.

A barnstorming version of Aerosmith’s Cryin’, is followed by self penned Lightning In A Bottle before Kelsy addresses the crowd about their latest tour supporting Halestorm in Arenas. She states that singing the final song in front of 20,000 people has been a life changing moment before ending the set with a sublimely beautiful rendition of Liquor Store On Mars.

Adam Slack & The Bangers – Full Setlist Review

Line-Up & Stage Presence

Adam Slack strolls onto the stage carrying a limited edition Billy Gibbons ‘Pearly Gates’ signature guitar, wearing a white shirt and grey waistcoat. Alongside Matt Peach, ‘The Bangers’ are Natt Webb on drums and Roan Brandt on bass who have shared stages with Adam since they were in the boyhood local bands of Raw and Small Talk.

Opening Run of Crowd Favourites

Hello Good To Be Back is followed by I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor and Jesus of Surburbia.

Adam tells us that he’s been listening to Swedish rock band Ghost pretty much all year and it’s dominated his Spotify Wrapped so it’s little surprise that Dance Macabre is in the set.

Adam then stated that this was the first song he ever learned to play on the guitar before launching into Feeder’s Buck Rogers.

The audience favourite of Stacy’s Mom is bookended by When I Come Around and the Dandy Warhol’s Bohemian Like You.

Mid-Set Highlights – The Killers, Green Day & More

‘Tonight Matthew I’m going to be The Killers” quipped Adam as he started a superb rendition of When You Were Young, and this led into a full blooded 5 minute version of Minority.

At this point it was Matt Peach’s turn to take lead vocal as he fronted The Girl All The Bad Guys Want, before the pair shared the contributions on Oasis’ Acquiesce.

Matt Peach led again on Run To You before the beautifully sedate Friday I’m In Love led to the festive section of the show.

Festive Finale – Christmas Chaos & Guest Appearances

A delightfully festive version of Wet Wet Wet’s Love Is All Around – “come on and let it snow” was followed by Matt’s own Christmas song Rock ‘n’ Roll Xmas with his dad Nicholas on guest guitar and Oolay Stone ‘filling in for his mum’ on drums. The obligatory Dave Ford snow machine covered most of the front five rows at this point.

Special Moment – Engagement Announcement

Prior to the encore Adam invited Kelsy Karter back on stage and announced their engagement to much applause.

Encore – High-Energy Finish

The highly energetic version of Franz Fernand’s Take Me Out started the extras with all musicians frenetically bouncing in time to the verse, and following Basket Case the rest of the band left to leave Adam to conclude with a solo of his most successful song, the platinum selling Could Have Been Me.

Final Verdict – One of the Best in Nine Years

This is the 9th year of this seasonal event and as one of the privileged few who have been there every year I can safely say that this year’s gig was easily one of the best. Adam said that the 10th anniversary will be bigger and better and we can’t wait…

Adam Slack & The Bangers – Live Gig Review @ www.rocknews.co.uk