FM/ Brave Rival Bristol Fleece 11-09-25
First up was Portsmouth 4 piece Brave Rival who are Lindsey Bonnick (lead vocals), Donna Peters (drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, vocals), Ed ‘the Shred’ Clarke (guitars, vocals), and Billy ‘Danger’ Dedman.
Last year's Fight Or Flight album was one of 2024's finest moments and now back as a 4 piece and with lone vocalist Lindsey now unleashed and her superb voice fills the entire venue with opener Bad Choices a storming introduction.
We get 3 new songs from the new ep with first single Poison exciting the classic rock crowd present with it's huge chorus.
New single Control ups the pace with Donna on drums driving the song onwards and the guitar riff from Ed is taut and powerful.
The unheard Wild Child builds up through the pre chorus into another big chorus built for stadiums and shows the tightness in the rhythm team before Ed shines in the guitar solo showing speed and dexterity.
Thankfully FM had given the band another 10 minutes and we were treated to the quite wonderful Heavy from Fight Or Flight which showcases everything I love about the band.
In the early part of the song Lindsey's voice soars with melodic intent and a quite beautiful refrain that would have been all over the radio back in the day.
The song live sees Ed showing why he is one of the UK's finest new talents on guitar with a 3 minute solo full of poise and melodic beauty .It really is a show stopper.
Ending the 40 minute set with Fairytale left us all shouting for more and a superb support slot and go see them with many dates across the UK in the following months.
Their new ep 5 to 4 is to be released on Fri 17th Oct on CD, Vinyl (in four limited edition colour variants), and Digital Download with pre orders are live now. Pre order your physical copy from https://store.braverival.com/
Many bands would struggle to follow such a support act but FM never play a bad show and tonight showed us that more than 40 years into their career they are still on top of their game.
With the recent release of their 15th album Brotherhood the quality still oozes from every pore and Steve Overland continues to defy age with a vocal display that so many of his peers and contemporaries can only dream about.
The one hour and 45 minute set was perfect digest of a career that continues to progress with some of melodic rock's finest songs.
I have mentioned before that more of the band's songs since the Firefest reunion needed hearing and good to see the band feeling that way with a 10/8 split old/new being played.
Synchronized is a great opener with Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar on his birthday showing why he has been such a driving force since the reformation with his guitar soloing always on point and melodic but with fire and drive too.
Early in the set for I Belong To The Night as it is usually an encore before Thirteen's Turn This Car Around saw the first audience participation.
Someday (You'll Come Running ) is a fan favourite although Steve's always takes a deep breath as he begins and again shows why he is known as The Voice with his tone superb and held notes to marvel at always.
Living On The Run from Brotherhood showed the band's knack to write quality melodic rock has never dipped and Jim's outro solo was superb.
Don't Call It Love was the second single from Brotherhood and again a welcome addition with it's big chorus sang back by the great Thursday night crowd.
Burning My Heart Down saw Steve having guitar issues in the first with him nodding to Jim to say the guitar solo is yours. Seconds before it was due the guitar is back and not turned on or in tune and a string breaks and Jim saves the day as the band fall about laughing and an extra round of applause at the end of the song too.
In fact the one stage banter is always so good to see with the band enjoying each others company.
The rhythm team of Jem Davis on keys,Pete Jupp on drums and Merv Goldsworthy on bass all play their part with the excellent sound mix giving everything a place to be heard.
From their recent acoustic tour we now get electric versions of Black Water from Old Habits Die Hard and the ballad Incredible from Heroes And Villains with both showcasing the band's quality writing and how much wonderful material they have.
First ever song written Dangerous takes us back more than 40 years for us long term fans we are in heaven.
In the home straight we get the fantastic Does It Feel Like Love and 1-2-3 of That Girl, Bad Luck and Tough It Out all played like the first time .
Atomic Generation's Killed By Love ends the set with more singalongs and the band leave us wanting more.
First encore sees a quick Jem keyboard interlude before Steve returns with Just Walk Away from Brotherhood with a different feel in the way played like Story Of My Life has been for many tours.
In fact I preferred the vocal and keys arrangement to the album version with Steve's voice soaring to new heights and showing why he is on of the best vocalist's this or any other genre has ever had.
A returning Heart Of The Matter ends the night on a high and the crowd's smiles are met with as many on stage.
FM are one of the world's finest melodic bands and here's to many more years of melodic rock excellence.
Some dates left in the UK get
out and see them you won't be disappointed.
London O2 Academy Islington
Thursday 18th September 2025
**Special Guest: Rosalie Cunningham
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
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20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD
www.thegarage.london
Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill
Friday 19th September 2025
**Special Guest: Rosalie Cunningham
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Starworks Warehouse,
Frederick Street, WV2 4DU
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www.kkssteelmill.co.uk
Manchester Club Academy
Saturday 20th September 2025
**Special Guest: Rosalie Cunningham
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
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Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR
www.manchesteracademy.net
Leeds Old Woollen
Sunday 21st September 2025
**Special Guest: Rosalie Cunningham
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
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Sunnybank Mills, 83 85 Town St, Leeds,
Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5UJ
https://oldwoollen.co.uk/home
Chester Live Rooms
Saturday 27th September 2025
***Special Guest: Jack J Hutchinson
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
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1 Station Rd, Chester, CH1 3DR
www.theliverooms.com
Southend Chinnerys
Sunday 28th September 2025
*Special Guest: Brave Rival
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
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21-22 Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EJ
www.chinnerys.co.uk
