Riff Riot Promotions Bring UK Hardcore Chaos to Dubrek Studios

If there was ever any doubt that Derby has an appetite for hardcore, Riff Riot Promotions put that to bed on Saturday night. Five bands, £7 tickets and a room full of people who looked like they were ready to throw themselves around from the first breakdown. It was another reminder that some of the best nights in the city don’t need huge stages or expensive production, just a passionate promoter, a solid lineup and a community that genuinely wants to be there.

Unfortunately we missed the opening band, but by the time Fakeout took to the stage, Dubrek Studios was already beginning to fill out.

From the first song it was obvious they weren’t interested in easing anyone into the evening. Heavy riffs, crushing drums and a vocalist with an unbelievably powerful voice immediately got heads moving. Even the slower moments carried serious weight. Before their closing track, the singer paused to give a trigger warning, explaining that the song dealt with suicide. It was a thoughtful moment that was met with complete respect from the room.

Of course, this is hardcore. Even the slow songs aren’t exactly slow. It certainly wasn’t Coldplay. The drummer absolutely stole the show during the track, delivering one of the standout performances of the night while hands rose into the air across the venue.

On the floor, the dancing had already begun. One energetic fan seemed determined to two-step for the entire evening, throwing windmills around with enough energy to power the venue by himself.

Next up were Hatebound, although you could already hear them shaking the building during soundcheck while everyone gathered outside between sets.

They made their entrance in the best possible way, walking on stage to YMCA before immediately dropping into some of the heaviest music of the night. The contrast summed up the spirit of hardcore perfectly. It never takes itself too seriously until the riffs start.

Having changed vocalist since the last time they played Derby, the band sounded absolutely huge. The bass tone was ridiculous, delivering thick chugging riffs that genuinely seemed to vibrate through the floorboards at Dubrek.

The set also featured material from their self-titled debut release, giving Derby one of its first chances to hear the new songs live.

The drummer announced it would be his final show with the band, making the performance feel even more significant, while the closing song had the entire room joining in with a chorus of “arf arfs”. If you’ve spent any time around the UK hardcore scene recently, you’ll know that’s becoming something of a trend.

Third on the bill were Swarms, arriving to We Like To Party before launching into a set packed with random samples, tongue-in-cheek moments and absolutely punishing breakdowns.

The humour between songs never distracted from just how tight they were. Another commanding vocalist sat over thick, chugging guitar tones while the crowd responded exactly how you’d hope. The pit opened properly, two-stepping intensified and windmills started flying from every corner of the room. By this point there was barely anyone standing still.

Headliners Torment were making their Derby debut, but there was already a familiar face on stage.

The mystery of the unstoppable two-stepper was finally solved when it turned out the person who had spent almost the entire night dancing in the pit was actually Torment’s vocalist. It perfectly summed up the atmosphere Riff Riot has managed to build. Nobody disappeared into a dressing room between sets. Every band watched the others, supported each other and spent the evening in the crowd alongside everyone else.

That sense of community has always been one of hardcore’s biggest strengths, and it was impossible to miss on Saturday night.

Torment rewarded the Derby crowd with a relentless headline set full of crushing riffs, thunderous drums, commanding vocals and enough energy to send the room home exhausted. For a first appearance in the city, they certainly left an impression.

More than anything though, this night belonged to Riff Riot Promotions. Putting together a bill like this isn’t easy, particularly within the grassroots scene, but they’ve quietly become one of Derby’s most reliable promoters for anyone who likes their music loud, fast and unapologetically heavy.

If hardcore, punk or anything heavy is your thing, Riff Riot events should be firmly on your radar.

Their next shows take place on 2 August at the Victoria Inn in Derby and 9 August in Nottingham. Based on Saturday night, we’d recommend getting yourself down the front.

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