THE FRONT ROW

There’s something special about Hyde Park Book Club. Maybe it’s the intimacy of the venue, maybe it’s the feeling that you’re witnessing bands right before they hit their prime, whatever it is, Saturday night’s show was a perfect reminder of why we chase live music. A busy room, three incredible performances, and one jaw-dropping headline set made this a night the 60 or so bodies in HPBC will remember for a long time.

Opening proceedings were Leeds’ own Nightsway, a band still fresh on the scene but already showing real flashes of promise. With only two tracks officially released so far, the energetic “Belong With You” and the emotionally charged “Unfortunate Kid”, they’re still carving out their identity, but on stage, they already have so much of the important stuff nailed. Driving guitars, punchy choruses, and chantable hooks were the order of the day, with frontman Rhys Hopkins and guitarist Benson Peckham leading the charge with real chemistry.

That said, there’s still room for growth. The production setup on the night didn’t always do them justice, occasionally swallowing the impressive vocal efforts of Hopkins and Peckham beneath the wall of sound. With a few tweaks to their live tech-spec, they could absolutely make a bigger impact. Nightsway have all the building blocks, massive melodies, big-hearted anthems, and a clear passion, and with their debut EP It Could’ve Been Sweet dropping on 2nd May, they’re definitely one to watch.

Next up were False Advertising, a name well-known among fans of fuzzed-out alt-rock. It’s been a turbulent period for the Manchester band, with long-time drummer Chris Warr’s departure at the end of 2024 leaving a sizeable hole. But on the evidence of tonight, they’ve filled that gap, and then some. Stepping in behind the kit was Lucy Brown (formerly of Bad Grammar), whose powerhouse drumming brought fresh energy and bite to the band’s already ferocious sound.

False Advertising’s set was a reminder of everything that made 2019’s Brainfreeze such an exhilarating listen: chunky riffs, soaring choruses, and a real sense of urgency. Their tracks still hit like a freight train, while newer material hinted at exciting developments for the now-refreshed lineup. Frontwoman Jen Hingley remains a magnetic presence, shifting between guitar-shredding and raw, affecting vocals with ease. With a full band back behind them, and with a little time to settle, 2025 could be the year False Advertising take things up a level again.

And then, the main event.

Interlaker might be a new name to some, but the people behind it are anything but rookies. Featuring Dave Jakes (former voice of Lonely The Brave) and Jack Wrench (ex-Arcane Roots drummer), the band released their stunning debut record in October, and this short six-date tour felt like the culmination of a new chapter for both musicians. It’s no exaggeration to say they absolutely blew the room away.

Opening with The Hunger and Miracle, the set immediately enveloped the audience in thick, emotive layers of sound. Jakes’ voice, that once-in-a-generation powerhouse of raw vulnerability and soaring strength, was spellbinding. Very few vocalists have the ability to make you lose all sense of time and space, but during songs like End Unknown and Spite of Day, it was impossible not to be completely absorbed.

They even dropped a real treat into the set with Trick of the Light, an old Lonely The Brave track reimagined with Interlaker’s heavier, more cinematic sound. It was a beautiful touch, connecting the dots between Jakes’ past and present without ever feeling nostalgic or weighed down.

But it was the newer material that truly showcased Interlaker’s growth. Too Late to the Story, a brand-new track yet to be released, was arguably the highlight of the night. Built on Wrench’s dynamic rhythms and a shimmering guitar backbone, it felt like the sound of a band stepping boldly into their next phase. If this song is anything to go by, record two could be something truly special.

The final run of the set was unstoppable: Carving Circles was a maelstrom of emotion and sonic heft; Call Out The Wolves raised the energy to fever pitch; and closing track Bottomless Pit – which, as Jack Wrench shared with me in a pre-show chat, is his personal favourite to play live – left the crowd both stunned and elated.

Interlaker’s music is the kind that doesn’t just wash over you, it moves through you, cracks you open, and leaves you standing a little lighter afterwards. Saturday night wasn’t just a great gig. It was one of those rare shows that reminds you why you fell in love with live music in the first place.