Live Review: Call Of The Wild Festival, The Lincolnshire Show Ground

Call Of The Wild Festival made a triumphant return to Lincolnshire Show Ground for another year of rock and metal acts from across the UK and around the Globe. Established in 2019, it’s amazing to see how much it has grown over the years. Now boasting two large outdoor stages The Kilmister and The Southwall Lawless as well as the Trailblazer inside a tent which conveniently includes the arena bar. Showcasing seasoned acts to those that may be more unknown this is a place to get your rock on.

The main campsite is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the arena which is the host of various vendors and plenty of friendly staff on hand dotted around if you should need them. Although it can get busy by the stages at times, it doesn’t feel overcrowded and has a very relaxed yet excited buzz in the air. We have some blazing sunshine mixed with at times over the weekend but it certainly doesn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. The fans are raring to go in their ponchos and of course can seek refuge while grabbing a drink at the bar!

Friday:

Loz Campbell play not just one but two sets this year and we were lucky enough to catch their first show. Campbell’s voice burst through the field like a beacon calling out as eager festival-goers made their way in to catch her bright and early. Raring to go they offered up a high energy set and they were the perfect band to start with a bang. One of our favourite bands of the day and someone to definitely check out is The Heat Inc. They are a proper Rock n’ Roll band reminiscent of the likes of The Doors, Ramones and The Stones. They not only sound the part they radiate straight up rock star vibes throughout their set. There was a lot of buzz around Harsh all weekend and we can see why. Hailing from Paris these glam hard rockers know how to put on a show. Playing a mix of original and covers they get everyone moving with their sizzling guitars and juicy basslines. Welsh rockers Scarlet Rebels delight fans with new material during their set from their upcoming album ‘Where The Colours Meet’. Their melodic tunes really draw us in and had us all singing along with them. The Quireboys close the first night of the festival with a bang. We always enjoy a Quireboys show but with many of the original members in tow and Spike being on top form it really is an unforgettable set with many saying it was the best they had seen of them in years.

Band of the day – Deadfire

Without a doubt Deadfire steal the show on Friday. These Scottish hard rockers are full of attitude and energy with no airs and graces just pure rock n roll and metal magnetism. Front man Charlie Munro cuts quite the character as he prowls the stage, leaping around, holding onto the rafters, he absolutely encapsulates the showmanship you need and want from such a band leaving a lasting impression with all in attendance. Every member lights up the stage and you can’t help but be bowled over by them. The size of the Trailblazer stage offers the opportunity to get up close and personal and they not only own it they tear it a new one. We get the opportunity to hear their latest release ‘B.M.F’, which is an incredibly catchy track that really gets the crowd moving and singing along. They also do a cover of ‘Ace Of Spades’ which fits their sound perfectly. We can see a main stage performance in their future and we’ll be front and centre for it.

Saturday:

King Voodoo are bluesy, sometimes brooding, melodic rock n roll which have you swaying and singing along. We love their tracks ‘Whisky Drive’ and ‘Time to Party’ from their 2023 album Hex City. The guys like to have fun on stage, they not only get the crowd singing along they also invited The Rocket Queen dancers to boogie with them for some of their songs. Spyder Byte bring along some good ol’ sleazy rock n roll with them and they didn’t disappoint. We managed to catch some of their set when we heard them from outside of the tent and we’re immediately drawn in. They offer a high energy performance with a punchy punk vibe. The heavens open but that doesn’t stop Bad Touch from doing what they do best. They always put on a good show. Although everyone is getting drenched, new and old fans alike gather together to listen to their own flavour of bluesy, groovy Rock n Roll. A highly anticipated band for many are South Of Salem. They are unmistakable once you see and hear them. They have managed to carve out an image and sound that has drawn many admiring fans. They pull out all the stops with coffins, neon lights, fire and smoke bursting from the stage. Lost Society make their UK festival headline debut and they absolutely nail it. These Finnish lads offer up some modern heavy metal with tasty pounding riffs. You can tell they love the performance just as much as their adoring fans. We love to see such energy and showmanship.

Band of the day – Star Circus:

Star Circus make a welcome return to COTW from playing the Trailblazer stage last time and now gracing the South Wall Lawless stage. Their larger than life stage presence, incredibly slick performance with catchy hooks, riffs and lashings of fun really steals the show and the hearts of many on Saturday. They ooze star quality which is undeniable for anyone who has the pleasure of seeing them play. To sound and perform like seasoned pros fairly early in their career is a testament to their talent and hard work. They belong on the main stage and we believe the sky’s the limit for these guys. The Rocket Queens appear again this time armed with confetti cannons. We really enjoy that they have four members who all contribute to the vocals, it really adds another dimension to the sound and a really cool unity within the band. They play their latest single ‘Gina In A Bottle’ and once you hear it, you won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

Sunday:

Slyder Smith and The Oblivion Kids are cooler than cool and offer up good old fashioned rock n roll glam and grit. Their songs are thoughtful and they take you on a journey with them. They playfully throw in a crowd pleasing cover of ‘Never Ending Story’. Bang Bang Fire Cracker take to the stage with such energy it’s infectious. They deliver hard rock and heavy metal riffs while engaging so authentically and effortlessly with the crowd. You can’t help but to join the party they’ve brought with them! Once again the weather takes a turn before Takeaway Thieves are due on which causes a bit of a delay to their set. They’re worth the wait though and show the weather gods who’s boss! A familiar sight over the weekend with the COTW crowd they don’t let it stop them from letting loose either. When Tom Killner appear on stage they not only bring their A game they bring the sunshine with them too. Definitely a favourite performance of the entire festival. Killner and his band look like the ultimate rock n roll cowboys and garner an impressive crowd playing their southern rock, country and Americana stylings. Killner’s vocals and overall performance is breathtaking and you really feel you are experiencing something very special. You don’t see anyone without a spring in their step and a smile on their face. Sons of Liberty surprise the audience with vocalist Russ Grimmett taking the show into the crowd. He hops off the stage and while everyone is stood in a circle dancing and singing along he absolutely lets loose! The showmanship is outstanding as they offer up a highly entertaining performance. The Hot Damn! are a band you can’t miss whenever they are on the bill. Gill Montgomery was born to be a front woman, full of character, charm and charisma with a beautiful voice to boot. They have pyro, confetti and blown up beach balls thrown into the crowd much to the excitement of everyone in attendance. The entire band are absolutely electric. Tyketto put on a truly magical show for the finale of COTW. They have the audience absolutely entranced as they hang onto every lyric and note. It’s been a long weekend and a lot of us are very muddy but the place is packed. They have since posted saying they felt “it was one of the best performances of their career” and it was a pleasure and honour to have witnessed it.

Band of the day – Daxx and Roxanne

We haven’t seen Daxx and Roxane before so didn’t know what to expect but they deliver a show unlike anything seen before. The camaraderie amongst the lads is obvious for all to see and brings so much charm to their performance. It’s probably the highest energy set seen all weekend, so much so there were worries one of them may fall off the stage at several points in the performance. There’s charging around, jumping over each other, swapping of hats, climbing on the speakers and rolling around the stage. They are absolute rock stars (and dare devils!) with their mischievous behaviour, all the while delivering a slick faultless set. Hailing from Switzerland and now based in London these guys have created a buzz, taking on one of the main stages and attracting new and old fans alike. They are full on raw, electric rock and you’ve got to love them for it. Well done lads and we can’t wait to see you again!

As we say farewell to COTW 2024 we must say we are very impressed. So many different bands were featured over the weekend, there really was something for everyone and it’s a guarantee you’ll find some new acts to fall in love with. Big congratulations to all of the organisers and staff, they put a lot of thought and effort into taking care of everyone who played and attended. We look forward to seeing what they have up for their sleeves for 2025!

Review by Aggy Gillon

All photos by Nikita Craft Photography: Nikita Sharp Photography – Facebook

The Heat Inc