Bars Attack / The Artisan Tap / Stoke on Trent

As we head into festival season, we were invited to head over to Stoke on Trent for Bars Attack 2025. Hosted by The Two Step Goodbyes Presents: and held at the Artisan Tap.

The brain child of Simon, Kev and Will, the members of the Two Step Goodbyes, it hosts 16 of the best musical talent on the Stoke scene and some very special guests. There’s no set theme for Bars Attack. Its not rock or punk or metal, whatever sounds good can have a place on the roster, and I love the idea of a diverse range of bands…. It creates interest and can expose you to styles of music you wouldn’t normally experience.

The Artisan Tap in Newcastle under Lyme is a small bar and music venue. The main stage area holds perhaps a hundred or so, but as so often happens, run by Scott, it has an incredible lighting and sound system. There’s also a rear room that has a small stage as well. The Artisan tap, perfectly epitomises grass roots music venues, putting on shows at least 5 nights a week, including cover bands, local musicians and bands on tour. So friendly and welcoming, they played their part in making the event a roaring success.

On the Friday night we had a four band line up to start the festival off on the main stage.

Opening the event were local rock and roll band Wolves in Alcatraz, who were outstanding. A rock solid performance as was the set from Great Silence. Next up were the hosts, The Two Step Goodbyes. A rock ‘n roll / psychobilly band, if you’ve followed our page, you’ll have heard of them before. Tonight T2SG delivered a blinding set, highlights included Dead in the Ground, Goddamn Atomic and the finale Fakers.

Hot outside, the Artisan Tap was now melting and a packed main room were buzzing for tonights very very special guests – The Virginmarys. From Macclesfield, we saw The Virginmarys a couple of years ago in London supporting Massive Wagons, and their star has been rising ever since. Ally and Danny are two of the most energetic performers out there, and their live shows are always electric, and packed with energy. Tonight was no exception as they took the roof of the small venue, delivering a powerhouse set.

A great start to the weekend.

The Saturday took a slightly different format, with two stages on use, bands alternating between the two. The smaller second stage was host to acoustic artists, while the noise happened in the main front room.

In the acoustic room we enjoyed sets from Von Kalski (Kev from The Two Step Goodbyes) followed by Attack of the Vapours, who added a light-hearted sense of humour to his set, chatting with the crowd between songs, and having to re-start one when near choking on a stay hair ! A delightful set from Lux DeLioux was a real highlight who had a fantastic voice, and got the crowd singing along to an acoustic guitar medley of songs by the Misfits. Next up was Andy Gower, another local who had some success back in the 90’s and drew a big crowd in the acoustic room. The final acoustic act was Dead Bird Lady, and what a treat this was. Armed with just a lute like instrument, flute and looper, she used her incredible soulful voice to great effect, creating complex layers of vocal sounds, building up an incredible atmospheric soundscape. Each track was as mesmerising as the last, and she drew perhaps the largest cheers of the day.

On the main stage, this is where the noise was unleashed. A late stand in, first up were The British Premonitions Bureau. On their social posts, Bars Attack tweeted “No one knows what just happened, but it happened at Bars Attacks!” With a strange mix of instruments including sax, accordion, melodica and stylophone, and all wearing black masks with white eyes, they delivered what has to be described as an art performance of political and social commentary material. It was eclectic and weird, but strangely hypnotic. Not for everyone, but I loved it. Next up were The Dandelion Curse a far more traditional rock band with a surf / psychedelic edge to it.

Next was something very different. Simon said have you heard of Uncle Dad and the Day Drinkers before ? When I replied no, he said… I won’t say anything, just experience it ! I had no idea what to expect as the stage was prepared. A pop up site toilet and full size image of Jim Bowen, either side of a workbench with tools, phone and stereo. Stepping out in Hi Viz vests and rubber masks, they perform as two old school building site workers, who grew up on Bullseye and beer. The music is all on tape and has a comic commentary running through it, broken by ‘dad rap’ songs about how tough men used to be, and baked bean bhunas. It was funny, engaging and really enjoyable. Not like anything else you could see !

Another complete change in direction with Eccie the Dog, a punk rap group fronted by Spaniel, who spent most of the set in the crowd. They were tight and delivered a fine performance.

As the night drew to a close, next up were The Mandelbrot Shakes. A husband and wife duo on guitar and drums, serving up a power packed set of rockabilly, rock and roll with a heavy grunge edge to it. Letty's powerhouse vocals and drumming are packed with energy and emotion and ably backed by Jules' fuzzy, jagged blues-drenched guitar work. Top stuff.

Next up are Cavegirl and the Neandergals, a three piece all female psychobilly band. I think psychobilly is a massively under rated genre. Its packed with the pace and energy of rockabilly with the edgy punk feel to it and Cavegirl is a demon on the standing bass, plucking out some incredible bass riffs.

Finally, its time for the finale of the event, and the Saturday headliners, The Kings of Hong Kong, the legendary masked psychobilly boys from Birmingham. I can’t think of a better end to the event. They wowed the crowd with their power, speed and antics. Their classic Los Pistoleros goes down a treat with the packed Tap, Marcel The on guitar ripping out some great riffs.

Bars Attack 2025 was an absolute blast, and all credit to Simon, Kev and Will for all the work to get it going. Bars Attack showed live music is alive and kicking at the grass roots level, and long may that continue. All the bands ere fantastic and some very special highlights from the likes of the Virginmarys, Dead Bird Lady, Eccie the Dog, Kings of Hng Kong, and the unforgettable Uncle Dad and the Day Drinkers.

Bars Attack 2026 can’t come fast enough !