LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: SPEED – Electric, Bristol – 17/04/2026

Tonight I travelled to the Electric in Bristol for SPEED’s UK tour. With only seven stops in the UK, it’s great to see them returning to Bristol after selling out Trinity in November 2024 as part of their Flatspot World UK / EU tour. I was there that night, and it was probably the best hardcore gig in the city that year. Tonight is shaping up to be equally as good, with another exceptional line-up. SPEED are one of the most respected and loved hardcore bands active in the scene right now. They released ONLY ONE MODE in 2024, following it up with a three-track EP, ALL MY ANGELS, in 2025. Their next LP is highly anticipated.

Second on the bill is another band from the Flatspot Records roster, Whispers. I’d heard their most recent LP Yom-Ma-Lok and expected them to be particularly aggressive live. Leeds’ Bodyweb recently signed to Flatspot themselves before releasing their EP deadwiredl ast year. I saw them open for Scowl at Thekla in 2025, so I was looking forward to seeing them again, this time on a much bigger stage. Dambuster are the final band on the bill. I hadn’t heard of them before but made sure I arrived early to catch their set.

Although this date wasn’t listed as sold out, there was a massive line outside the venue when I arrived. By the time I reached the barrier, there was already a big crowd, with people watching from the balcony. Dambuster played with a massive banner in front of their kit that read “Brighton Hardcore.” They wasted no time blasting through their typically short set. Someone shouted “side to side,” and the crowd soon obliged. I even spotted one band member playing a guitar with no strings—something I’ve never seen before. Their traditional hardcore sound went down really well and kicked the night off in the best way.

Bodyweb came on next, with their logo shining from the stage backdrop like a symbol from The Outer Limits. Kicking off with No Faith from deadwired, the band ripped through their nine-song set. As the band on the bill with the most varied sound, I thought they were a great choice for tonight. The addition of electronic textures helped mix things up and made them stand out. A big circle pit opened up about halfway through their set. They mentioned they’re working on a new record, which should be out next year. They also added that they’ve played Bristol a few times—both big and small shows—and always have a great time. They finished the set with the hit Deadwire.

The Electric felt sold out by the time Whispers took to the stage. You’d be hard-pressed to find a band that plays with as much intensity as SPEED, but Whispers are a very close second. The back of the stage was packed with members of other bands and crew for their set. As I’d hoped, they played with tons of aggression, and the response from the crowd was something else. From my view in the pit, I could see crowd surfers riding over the audience before being caught by security throughout the set. There was a brief pause to sing Happy Birthday to bassist Tanin Meemongkol before the set rolled on. SPEED’s Jem Siow also hopped onto the stage to add vocals for one song, which amped up the crowd even more.

SPEED hit the stage, and it was the moment everyone had been waiting for. Opening with Ain’t My Game, Don’t Need, and Shut It Down, the night honestly went to another level. It’s hard to describe, but the energy from the band is so infectious. You come away feeling like there’s nowhere they’d rather be than on stage playing hardcore. All My Angels made the set from their most recent EP, along with Peace.

Jem Siow took a few moments to address the crowd, talking about how he discovered hardcore at a young age and would practise his mosh moves in the mirror. He also referenced the crowd chanting the band’s name, which to the uninitiated can sound like booing. The whole room became a pit during their set, as I watched wave after wave of crowd surfers move over the audience. The barrier stopped some people from stage-diving, but it didn’t seem to disappoint anyone.

Jem said the people in the room tonight are his best friends, and celebrating with them is a gift. He urged people to go to their local hardcore shows and said that if you respect the culture, everyone is welcome. He spoke about those who don’t fit in finding a place within the hardcore community—one that’s open and there for everyone.

The band ended the night with The First Test. It was an incredible show, and I felt genuinely lucky to be there.

Words and photos by Ross Peacey (Instagram)