The Hot One Two/Aethoria - The Carlisle, Hastings - 5th February

The Hot One Two

Hailing from Cambridge, The Hot One Two is a four-man unit built on a foundation of bone-shaking riffs and pure swagger. With Nick Blackburn on bass and Joe Chivers on drums locking down a rhythm section that hits like a freight train, the band delivers a relentless, no-frills rock assault. The fire is fueled by Nick Manners' searing lead guitar and the raw power of frontman Simon West, a combination that turns every live show into a full-blown demolition derby. This is rock and roll, stripped down and turned up to eleven.

Following the successful release of two EPs, the band's momentum culminated in their debut album, Superbia, in November 2023. The critically acclaimed concept album, exploring the seven deadly sins, featured the Planet Rock's track of the week 'The Fray' and cemented the band as a force to be reckoned with. A successful UK tour with Welsh rockers Scarlet Rebels further solidified their reputation. 

The past year has been a defining stretch for The Hot One Two. Closing out 2025 with the release of their most ambitious album to date, Virtues, the band pushed their signature hard-hitting rock to new ground, dropping a record built on heavy riffs and raw, anthemic energy.

​They took that momentum straight to the stage with a massive two-leg UK tour, tearing through packed rooms across the country and proving once again why their live show is impossible to ignore.

​Now, heading into the second half of 2026, the band is keeping the pedal down. This autumn sees the launch of 'The For You Tour'—a run named after the standout track from Virtues and built entirely around the fans. For this leg, the crowd takes the wheel: fans are picking the setlists for each night and getting their names printed directly onto the official tour merch.

The Hot One Two are heading back out on the road louder than ever, bringing the people who built this band right along with them.

Aethoria

Aethoria are a five piece hard rock band from Suffolk, UK. Built on huge riffs and soaring vocals, drawing on influences from all corners of rock and metal, they burst onto the scene in the summer of 2025 with debut single “Tamed”.

Aethoria may be new, but their sound has an undeniable maturity that belies their status as newcomers. The band’s focus on delivering catchy melodies and dynamic instrumentation is immediately apparent in ‘Tamed.’ It’s a track that effortlessly blends the rich intensity of rock with bursts of unrelenting modern heaviness, creating something both familiar and refreshingly unique.

The guitars roar with sharp precision, the drums unleash a controlled fury, and the melodies weave through the chaos with elegance. But it’s Mecia-Jade Holden’s soulful and commanding vocals that truly elevate ‘Tamed’ into something extraordinary. 

In a musical landscape that often feels saturated, Aethoria brings a refreshing charge of energy and artistry. They’ve marked their arrival with ‘Tamed,’ but this is only the beginning of their journey. If this debut single is any indication, Aethoria’s path forward promises a wealth of creative and electrifying music.

MECIA-JADE HOLDEN – VOCALS
TOM BROOKS & ALEX COOMBES – GUITARS
CONNOR SHEPPARD – BASS
LEE ALEXANDER – DRUMS