Friday night: a night to let your inhibitions get the better of you. You could hit the town, head to the pub or, if you enjoy giving yourself whiplash, spend the evening at your local live music venue being screamed at for hours. That’s exactly what I, amongst many others, did at Spoilers. With a stacked line-up in one of Birmingham’s coolest venues, it was a no-brainer.

Opening the night were Fun Sponge, hailing from the big Coventry. For an outfit of just two people, I’m glad to say I was pleasantly surprised. I’d heard plenty of good things about these guys beforehand, and they absolutely lived up to the hype.

The power in the vocals immediately set the tone for the evening, while the performance as a whole felt raw, emotive and completely genuine. I often find myself judging a live set by how much of themselves a band leaves on stage, and Fun Sponge wore their hearts firmly on their sleeves, yes, even whilst Ryan (drums) was shirtless.

Speaking of Ryan, the drumming throughout was far more than just solid. The power, precision and confidence behind every groove were captivating, and it’s the kind of playing I can’t help but admire. As the set progressed, the audience naturally began moving with the music. You could feel the connection building between the band and the room, with everyone becoming increasingly invested in what was unfolding on stage.

Closing with what was easily my favourite song of the set, nobody remained static. The vocals cut through effortlessly while the drums seemed determined to beat every negative emotion known to man out of the room. It was the perfect way to round off a strong opening performance and left the crowd more than ready for what was to come.

Following that, Loom took to the stage for their first performance in ten years. When they announced it, I was genuinely shocked, because this was one of the most polished grassroots performances I’ve seen.

Launching straight into the set with power and conviction, we did indeed “get what [we] deserve”. Their punk-influenced sound carried absolutely no nonsense. The guitar tones worked brilliantly, while the guitars and bass locked together to create a huge, cohesive sound. As the set progressed they quickly settled into their groove, inciting two-stepping across the room. Bonus points, too, for using a screwdriver to play the guitar –  not something you see every day.

There’s a phrase every drummer has heard: the drums are the backbone of the band. If that’s true, Loom’s backbone is made of titanium. The grooves were incredibly tight, the fills landed perfectly and the drumming provided a relentless foundation for everything happening around it.

The vocals carried that same intensity. It genuinely felt like the frontman had something he needed to get off his chest, and he did exactly that. Harsher vocal passages appeared in all the right places, balanced by a deep, almost sultry delivery that created an atmosphere the crowd clearly bought into.

As much as I appreciated the no-nonsense, straight-into-it approach, I would’ve loved just a little more chat between songs. I’m always interested in hearing the stories behind the music or what inspired particular tracks. That’s only a minor point, though. The band looked completely immersed in their performance, the audience matched that energy from start to finish, and after a ten-year hiatus, I’d say Loom’s return was well worth the wait. I’m excited to see what they’re cooking up next.

Now, I usually find myself connecting with almost every band I see live, regardless of where they are in their career or how elaborate the show is. But with this next band, the connection was on another level.

Temper Tantrum immediately had a sea of people rushing back in from killing their lungs outside to catch the high-energy start of the set. If any band has ever had a name more fitting than these grrrls, I’d be astonished. Angsty, dominating and impactful.

This outfit are incredibly competent musicians, and that talent comes together almost flawlessly in a live setting. Had it not been mentioned, I would’ve had no idea they were performing with session musicians. The cohesiveness on stage was that convincing.

Throughout the set, the lyrics tackled highly subversive and incredibly relevant issues. I.D.W.D.T.S. centred around a “noncey metalhead” – unfortunately, an issue that too many people across different scenes and subcultures are familiar with. Then came LISTEN TO ME!, a track, in their own words, “about how the government is fucking you over, not trans people.”

The sheer fury these subjects evoke was channelled into every second of the performance. Thunderous drumming punctuated every lyric, while every riff reinforced the weight behind the message. Their signature riot grrrl punk sound was blended with funkier influences, even throwing in a more pop-influenced number, much to George’s dismay.

One lyric that’s been stuck in my head ever since is, “The G-Spot don’t exist mate, that’s just feminist propaganda.” I think, for obvious reasons, that one speaks for itself.

Alongside a set of brilliant originals, they also did absolute justice to some fantastic covers, including Maggot by Amyl and the Sniffers.

If any band I’ve seen live, and at this point I’ve genuinely lost count, could embody the idea of “not diluting your identity”, Temper Tantrum take the crown. Every member was unapologetically themselves, both musically and visually. Their aesthetic, individually and collectively, was incredible, perfectly matching the confidence they brought to the stage.

Charisma and talent are abundant, but what impressed me most was their authenticity. Temper Tantrum don’t feel like they’re trying to fit into a scene; they’re carving out their own space within it.

When it comes to grassroots shows, I’ve honestly lost count of how many I’ve attended or how many times I’ve seen certain bands. One that never fails to pop up around the West Midlands is The Caroline Bomb. Last week I wrote that I’d just seen the most polished set they’ve ever played, but fuck me, their headline slot at Spoilers came to compete.

Starting in true TCB fashion, they wasted no time pulling the audience into their world. The artwork covering Spoilers’ walls elevated the whole experience, complementing the band’s art-punk aesthetic perfectly. The best way I can describe it? An acid trip. Fresh from winning Spoilers’ Battle of the Bands, they pulled out all the stops.

Phoebe (vocals) looked like she was aiming for a head-to-ceiling interaction with the amount of airtime she was getting, while Joe (guitar) seemed completely at one with his instrument. Even with a freestyle setlist, they knew exactly what the crowd wanted, treating us to favourites including Wired, Green ‘n’ Knobbly and Rent Strike.

Of course, Phoebe couldn’t stay on stage for long, inevitably throwing herself into the crowd and completely dismantling that invisible barrier between artist and audience. Back on stage, the band never let the momentum slip. Every riff cut through the room with purpose, carrying enough variation to ensure not a single moment felt stale or uninspired.

A massive shoutout has to go to Grace, the “shy but brave” audience member who volunteered to join the band on stage for a song. Moments like that are exactly what make grassroots gigs so special.

What impresses me most about The Caroline Bomb is their understanding of pacing. Not tempo, but the energy of the room. They know exactly when to push the crowd into chaos, when to strip things back and when to let a song breathe before launching straight back into the madness. Every member understands when their playing needs complexity and when simplicity is more powerful, allowing each song to hit with maximum impact rather than becoming overwhelming.

Creating an atmosphere where an entire room moves as one is an art form, and it’s one The Caroline Bomb have mastered. Static simply isn’t in their dictionary, nor would anyone want it to be.

Every time I get the chance to see these guys, it’s clear they’ve found their identity, but they’re never afraid to experiment within it. That’s what keeps every set feeling fresh, no matter how many times you’ve seen them.

Tom, who handles the bookings at Spoilers, put together an outstanding line-up, and it was an absolute pleasure to spend my Friday night surrounded by incredible bands, talented musicians and people who simply love live music.