Massive Wagons / The Junction / Cambridge

May 21

May 21 Massive Wagons / The Junction / Cambridge

A trek down the A1 / A14 and a first visit to the Junction in Cambridge. And this is one I’ve been looking forward to, another chance to catch the brilliant Massive Wagons on their “Earth to Grace tour”. Absolutely one of the best live bands around, but this run of shows also give us another chance to see Inme.

First up on stage in support are Airstrike, a German rock band from Northern Hesse, fronted by singer Julio Wist, from Lima in Peru. Known for their maximum volume and zero compromise approach to rock.

The set if packed with hard riffs and meaty big melodies, while frontman Julio rocks the stage with a retro 70’s styling. Clearly inspired by the legends, but with their very own unique style, the band blends classic rock with modern influence.

A thoroughly enjoyable start to the night they deliver a style that is sometimes raw and impetuous, and at other times soulful and profound – but at all times they are thoroughly captivating.

Setlist

Really Liked You

Rollin'

Beyond the way

One in a million

Promised Land

Motor Ride

Next up are InMe, an alt-rock/metal band from Brentwood, Essex formed back in 1996. InMe are Dave McPherson (vocals), Gaz Marlow (guitar), John O’Keefe (guitar), Mike Garrett (bass) and Tom Dalton (drums) and they’ve released seven studio albums, from their debut “EdenI in 2003to 2020’s “Jumpstart Hope”.

I was lucky enough o see them last year at Rock City, when they stepped in to support Alien Ant Farm at Rock City after CKY left the tour, and what a performance they delivered.

Tonight InMe hit the stage and the energy levels are high from the off, and hey are on top form. Musically they are tight and the energy spills out over the barrier into the crowd. Kicking off with Underdose from their 2003 album “Overgrown Eden” its powerful chorus and intense riffs has the crowd jumping right from the off.

The pace changes with Safe in a Room which is a quieter more reflective and intricate track from the “White Butterfly” album, and is a great showcase for Dave’s impressive vocals. Highlight of the set for me was a newer track, Confession which goes down a storm with the Cambridge crowd. It’s an incredibly emotional song for the band, and was the first song Dave wrote after rehab, and it really conveys a feeling of rebirth and new beginnings both emotionally and musically. The set just flies by and InMe have delivered a stunning performance. Closing things out with Faster the Chase, InMe show they are still a force to be reckoned with, delivering an emotionally charged and powerful set that leaves us all wanting more.

Setlist

Underdose

Safe in a Room

Cracking the Whip

7 Weeks

Confession

All Terrain Vehicle

So You Know

Faster the Chase

And now its time for tonight’s headliners Massive Wagons, and its great to see that the Junction is packed to the rafters. There’s a really good mix too, with older fans and students out for a great night.

Massive Wagons are from Lancaster formed in 2009. They are Barry Mills (vocals), Adam Thistlethwaite (guitar), Alex Thistlethwaite (drums), Carl Cochrane (guitar) and Adam Bouskill (bass).

In their early years Massive Wagons concentrated on playing live through independently promoted gigs as well as UK tours, and they developed a strong and fiercely loyal following.

They’ve released seven studio albums including three successive UK Top 10 albums from 2012’s debut “Fire It up” to the recently released (2025) “Earth to Grace”.

Kicking off with Missing on TV from their latest album “Triggered!”, frontman Barry “Baz” Mills wastes no time energising the crowd, dashing around the stage with infectious enthusiasm.

Ever the showman, Baz soon has the audience spelling out A.S.S.H.O.L.E in one section of the song from their 2022 release. Massive Wagons are a dream live, Baz is a Tasmanian Devil of a blur as he races round the stage, posing on the monitors, interacting with the crowd and swinging his mic stand round, but he’s joined by Guitarist Stevie Holl who beams throughout the night, pulling poses and joining in the antics. The highlight of the showmanship is when the inflatable dinghy is brought out and Baz floats aloft a sea of hands right round the Junction before returning to the stage. But with Massive Wagons, it doesn’t ever feel like a performance, it feels like a genuine expression of personality, and the adoring crowd lap up every second of it.

The pace slows slightly when Please Stay Calm from 2022’s album “Triggered!” hits us, with its smoothness and softness. But these moments don’t last long, just long enough to recharge the batteries before the mayhem hits again, in this case by Underdog from 2025’s “Earth to Grace” with it’s ‘80s style rock guitar intro, and Baz is back to full throttle.

Another more mellow break comes in the form of Night Skies an incredible rock ballad, and my song of the night. A song about struggles with mental health, putting on a fake smile and struggling on through the day, its emotional and beautiful. The kind of track that makes you stop and listen, and it floors you with its power. Massive Wagons have long been supporters of Mental Health charities and have run an anti-bullying campaign.

The main set ends with In It Together from 2020’s “House of Noise” album, and the crowd join Baz in singing along. Of course they had to return for an encore, the eager crowd would settle for nothing less and we get three songs all from 2023’s “Welcome to the World” with Nails, Tokyo and finally, a fabulously irreverent version of fan favourite Fee Fi Fo Fum, “Fee Fi Fo Fum…. I smell the blood of an English Rock ‘n Roll Band” a rip roaring blast of an anthem, just perfect to end the night and set the seal on a live show for the ages.

Massive Wagons are one of the most entertaining bands live there is – period. Energy, fun, emotion….. they deliver on every count.

Setlist

Missing on TV

Cool Like a Fox

Rabbit Hole

A.S.S.H.O.L.E.

Fuck the Haters

Please Stay Calm

Underdog

Fun While it Lasted

Night Skies

The Good Die Young