Skeeve Ignite Derby’s Underground Scene with Explosive “Cradlesong” Launch at The Vic Inn

Derby’s music scene witnessed a watershed moment last Saturday as local shoegaze trailblazers Skeeve played their first ever sold-out gig at the legendary Vic Inn, unleashing chaos and catharsis in equal measure. The occasion marked the official launch of their haunting new single “Cradlesong”, and the venue – a cherished hub of underground music in the East Midlands – was bursting at the seams with energy, noise, and sweat-drenched bodies.

From Local Buzz to Full-Blown Frenzy

The anticipation in the room was palpable from the outset. Promoter Musikbox had curated a killer lineup of local talent to warm up the Vic’s famously gritty stage. With the walls practically vibrating and condensation dripping from the ceiling, it was clear this wasn’t going to be any ordinary gig – this was Derby’s alternative at its best, and it was about to erupt.

Skattabox: Groove, Grit and Gritty Funk

Opening the night was Skattabox, a self-described “groove punk” band formed at Derby University. Made up of six musicians from wildly different backgrounds, the group fused snarling distortion with irresistible funky rhythms. Imagine moshing while dancing to a disco-punk fusion and you’re halfway there. Their set was a tornado of movement, keeping the early crowd engaged and energised. Skattabox didn’t just warm up the room – they set it ablaze.

Mantle: Emo Anthems and Indie Roars

Next up, Mantle took to the stage, delivering a passionate blend of originals and covers that had the audience screaming every lyric like it was a headline show. With their distinctive blend of modern emo and indie rock, they managed to channel nostalgia and freshness in equal measure. Covers of beloved indie bangers kept the energy high, but it was their own material that left a lasting impression – raw, melodic, and emotionally charged.

Wired Euphoria: Two-Piece, Full-Throttle Fury

The penultimate act, Wired Euphoria, stunned the crowd with their immense sound. Just two members strong, the duo conjured up a hurricane of grunge, shoegaze and noise rock with a gritty indie sensibility. Their wall-of-sound performance defied expectations, packing the sonic punch of a five-piece. The rawness of their music was offset by a youthful exuberance, making their set both heavy and joyously chaotic.

Skeeve’s Time: A Riotous, Sweat-Drenched Celebration

By the time Skeeve took the stage, The Vic was a heaving, humid riot of noise and anticipation. The crowd – a glorious cross-section of Derby’s subcultural heart, from skater kids to long-haired metalheads and bald-headed Irish punks – was already in a frenzy. From the first note, it was obvious: Skeeve weren’t here to play it safe. They were here to burn the house down.

Opening with the fierce and unforgiving “You Killed Us All”, the band kicked off with pure venom. That was quickly followed by fan-favourite “Scare”, which turned the room into a collective chorus, the crowd screaming every word back with punk passion. The mayhem intensified during the seismic “Orion’s Belt” and the fuzzed-out shoegaze storm of “Monochrome” – each track ratcheting up the heat in the already sauna-like venue.

Their earlier single “Whiskey” caused the mosh pit to go into overdrive, fists pumping and bodies flying. “Gainsborough Grey” provided a slight moment of melodic reprieve – but only just. Skeeve then delivered a show-stopping cover of Teen Suicide’s infamous “We Found Two Dead Swans and Filled Their Bodies with Flowers” – reimagined with heavier punk sensibilities and an explosive climax that had heads banging in every direction.

“Cardinal” thundered in next with its crunchy bassline and sonic depth, before the main event of the night: “Cradlesong”. Released that very night across all streaming platforms, it began with the crowd clapping in unison before collapsing into a maelstrom of sound, moshers flailing in all directions. It was a moment of catharsis – both a celebration and a warning shot that this band is about to break out far beyond the Derby city limits.

A Local Band Going Global?

Skeeve have been building quietly over the past couple of years, gigging across the Midlands and beyond, but Saturday night felt like a turning point. This wasn’t just a local band doing well—this was a band ready for bigger stages. With frontman Santino commanding the stage with both charisma and sincerity, he made a point to thank every act, every fan, and even the Vic itself for continuing to be a home for loud, local music.

Santino’s vocals are a revelation—equal parts shoegaze haze and post-hardcore scream, rising above the crashing drums and soaring guitar lines. The whole band is tight and confident: the drumming is thunderous and inventive, the bass complex and melodic, the guitar work gritty and atmospheric. Skeeve don’t just play songs—they build sonic cathedrals and then knock them down with feedback and fury.

And yes, Rin, now infamous for shedding his shirt mid-set, remains the visual embodiment of the band’s no-nonsense, all-heart ethos: play hard, sweat harder.

The Vic Inn: Still Derby’s Beating Heart of Noise

The Vic Inn has long been a proving ground for local talent and Saturday night proved it’s still a vital lifeline for Derby’s underground music scene. Sweaty, sticky, and loud—it’s exactly what a grassroots venue should be. With Musik Box leading the charge and acts like Skeeve pushing the boundaries of what local can mean, Derby’s scene isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.

Cradlesong, now available on all streaming platforms, is more than just a single. It’s a milestone. A declaration. A noise-laced lullaby that marks the moment Skeeve went from “one to watch” to “one you’d better not miss.”

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