Ghrul Step Up to Headline Riff Riot’s Devilish Nights in Derby

Riff Riot Promotions return to The Victoria Inn this September for Devilish Nights in Derby, bringing another night of heavy underground music to the city on Saturday 5 September 2026.

There has been a late change at the top of the bill, with original headliners Slugfut unfortunately no longer able to make the trip to Derby. Rather than slowing things down, Riff Riot have promoted local rising band Ghrul into the headline slot and added Tellemahookah to the line-up, bringing another dose of cosmic fuzz back to the city.

It means the shape of the night might have changed, but Devilish Nights in Derby still looks set to deliver exactly what you would expect from Riff Riot: loud, heavy and slightly weird underground music inside one of Derby’s most important grassroots venues.

Ghrul step into the headline slot

The change gives Ghrul an opportunity to step up and close the night on home turf. Described by Riff Riot as a rising local band, moving them into the headline position is another chance for a Derby act to take the top spot rather than simply filling out the lower reaches of a touring bill.

It is also very much in keeping with what Riff Riot have been building through their Derby shows. The promoter has consistently mixed touring underground bands with artists from the local and regional heavy scene, creating bills that give people a reason to discover something new rather than relying solely on established names.

For Ghrul, September’s show now becomes a considerably bigger opportunity. Losing a headliner is never ideal for a promoter, but replacing them by putting faith in a local band already on the bill feels like a pretty good way to respond.

Tellemahookah bring the cosmic fuzz back to Derby

Joining the revised line-up are Tellemahookah, returning to Derby after previously playing for Riff Riot and bringing what the promoter describes as another slice of their “cosmic fuzz”.

That should add something a little different to the night, with the band’s psychedelic, fuzzy approach sitting nicely alongside the heavier end of what Riff Riot regularly brings through the city. If your preferred guitar tone sounds like it has been dragged through several pedals before being fired into space, this might be the one to keep an eye on.

Their addition also means Riff Riot haven’t simply shuffled the existing bands upwards following Slugfut’s withdrawal. A new act has been brought onto the bill, keeping Devilish Nights as a full evening of underground heavy music despite the change.

Another night for Derby’s underground heavy scene

Riff Riot have become increasingly active around Derby’s grassroots heavy music scene, putting on hardcore, punk, metal and alternative shows at venues including Dubrek and The Victoria Inn. Their events have brought touring acts into the city while giving local and emerging bands space alongside them, helping build the sort of regular grassroots circuit that any healthy music scene needs.

Devilish Nights in Derby continues that approach at The Victoria Inn, a venue that has become an increasingly important part of Derby’s independent music ecosystem. Small shows like this are where bands develop, promoters take chances and audiences discover artists before they start appearing considerably further up festival posters.

At just £10 plus booking fees, it is also another relatively inexpensive way to spend a Saturday night watching a handful of underground bands without having to leave Derby.

Line-up changes are an unavoidable part of live music, particularly at grassroots level, and losing Slugfut from the original bill will undoubtedly be disappointing for anyone specifically looking forward to seeing them. But with Ghrul stepping into the headline position and Tellemahookah joining the party, Riff Riot have managed to turn the change into an opportunity for another local band to take centre stage.

Riff Riot Promotions presents Devilish Nights in Derby at The Victoria Inn on Saturday 5 September 2026. Ghrul headline the revised bill, with Tellemahookah newly added. Tickets are £10 plus booking fees.

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