These Wicked Rivers and The Virginmarys Live at The Sugarmill Review

20 November 2025 rocknews

Stoke-on-Trent doesn’t play around when it comes to rock shows — and last night at The Sugarmill was proof. A double-header of These Wicked Rivers and The Virginmarys turned the venue into a furnace of riffs, sweat, and pure, unfiltered rock ’n’ roll chaos.

THE VIRGINMARYS – A MASTERCLASS IN MODERN ROCK

The Virginmarys hit the stage like a spark in a gunpowder warehouse. Their setlist was a killer blend of older fan favourites and fresh cuts, stitched together with the kind of fire most bands can only dream of summoning.

Fast, rebellious anthems came flying in thick and fast — delivered with a brutal honesty that has become their trademark. Nothing felt phoned in. Nothing felt softened. This was raw, human, emotional rock played with absolute conviction.

By the time they closed out, the room was a beautiful mess: ears ringing, hearts full, and half the crowd shouting “one more!” even though their voices were clearly on their last legs.

In short?
The Virginmarys in Stoke were intense, heartfelt, and unforgettable. A lesson in how to do modern rock properly.

THESE WICKED RIVERS – A ROCK ’N’ ROLL ODYSSEY

Before they even played a note, the atmosphere shifted. Rainbow’s “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll” boomed through the room as These Wicked Rivers walked out, and from that second on, Stoke was theirs.

This was a set drenched in blues-rock grit and modern swagger.
An odyssey.
A revival.
And honestly? A downright belter of a night.

Performance & Sound

John Hartwell took command instantly — that warm, whiskey-soaked voice slicing right through the mix. His performance was heartfelt but tough as nails, the perfect match for the band’s sound.

Then there was Arran Day, who spent the entire night looking like he was personally trying to set his fretboard on fire.
Soulful bends? Check.
High-octane solos? Check.
Enough swagger to power the National Grid? Double check.

Behind them, bass, keys, and drums locked together like a well-oiled machine, giving every track the power and shape it deserved.

The Set

Their set dug deep into their catalogue while spotlighting standout moments from the new album Force of Nature.
Tracks like “The Riverboat Man” and “Black Gold” hit big — huge riffs, flawless energy, and Arran absolutely ripping.

Then came the slower burn: “When the War Is Won.” It brought a hush, then built into a massive emotional crescendo that had the whole room locked in.

Stoke crowds have a reputation — and it’s a good one.
They’re loud.
They’re loyal.
And last night, they were on fire.

The Crowd

The sing-alongs were huge, the atmosphere buzzing, and the energy bouncing back and forth between band and audience like a live current. Between songs, the band’s banter and genuine warmth added something special — it felt less like a gig and more like a celebration.