Live Review: Monster Magnet, King Of The North, Matt Sonic & The High Times, Don Fernando

It isn't long after doors open that Don Fernando proceed to tear it up. Kicking off with Take You, the band sound punchy and tight and when guitars give way to bass, the bottom end is thunderous. Recent support slots with Clutch, coupled with overseas touring, have sharpened the blade and the lads finish with a bang.

A lengthy intro by Matt Sonic & The High Times features plenty in the way of guitar histrionics, courtesy of Mr Sonic, and punters filter into the sunken pit to get their spots. The frontman takes a moment during the start of Cyclone Eater to introduce his band, before continuing with a set that explores slow builds and extended rock endings.

It's good to see King Of The North playing to a sea of heads. The duo seem at ease and in their element entertaining this rock-pig crowd and vocalist Andrew Higgs lets everyone know he means business with a hearty scream during More Than You'll Ever Know.

While stage hands work their magic, a demonic-looking figure is projected onto a backdrop as Curtis Mayfield's (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going To Go plays over the PA. Monster Magnet arrive with singer Dave Wyndorf strolling out with his red Gibson SG slung low, uttering a cheeky “Whassup, kids?” Swirling feedback now ushers in the epic title track from recent LP, Last Patrol. Tractor picks up the pace, but it is the solid, pummelling, stoner groove of Dopes To Infinity that really amps up the crowd. When Wyndorf isn't manipulating sound via a row of pedals upstage he engages the audience, not afraid to make eye contact with individuals in the pit. The light show is a mix of beams that dance across Wyndorf and then separate to shine down vertically. When combined with looping, kaleidoscopic footage of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, this makes for stimulating visuals.

Donovan's Three King Fishers gets a makeover, and Wyndorf manages to squeeze lyrics from Don McLean's American Pie into the band's own Spine Of God. Once Monster Magnet leave the stage, the crowd is left with footage of The French Connection's classic car chase to ponder, but chanting soon brings the band back. They open their encore with the rockin' Twin Earth. Powertrip and Space Lord, give the crowd what they need and, as Monster Magnet exit to towel off and cool down, we now face the looming reality of Monday.