Festival Review: Mayhem At Mick’s - Punk on the Farm - 11th & 12th July 2025

Words and images by Johnny

Well, here we go again. For the 14th year, Covid aside, we made our way to Rose Farm, slap bang in the middle of the Leicestershire countryside. To many this may not be known about, Mayhem @ Micks was once known as the best kept secret on the punk scene calendar, true, over the years, it has become more well known, but still keeps its charm as one of the smaller mini fest weekends of the year. Knowing that the weather was going to be tad warm, we didn’t quite realise just how hot it was going to be. On arrival, the temperature was well into the mid 30’s as we drove onto the camping field. Seeing a few tenters pitching up, sweating buckets as they, and soon to be us, making camp. This was gonna be a hot one.

After the usual hour or so setting up, our usual crowd, minus a couple, were all sorted, a few tinnies later, and we wander off down to the cow shed. Yes, a cow shed. Very briefly, Mick the farmer, Kirky and Trina set up this little soiree a number of years ago. As Mick can’t make to the gigs being a working farmer, he decided to clear out a cow shed, and field for the campers and put on gigs themselves. So, off we go. On entering the shed, the sweat was dripping off us, the heat not helped by the semi enclosed space, but didn’t make any difference to what was to come.

Kicking of the weekend we have Leech Bleeders . Now these chaps have always been a favourite of mine, very fast in ya face punk rock, lyrically scathing at anything authoritative and political. Great fun and top people. Always a pleasure to see these doing their stuff. And to start the weekend off in such heat as the first band on, is a credit to them.

Next up is SuckerPunch, seen these a few times over the years, another one of those bands who are so prolific on the scene with their hard-hitting lyrics and pounding bass line punk rock. By now the heat seemed to have reached its peak, with all bands’ members sweating cobs. A great set by a great bunch.

Unfortunately, Hex Poseur couldn’t make it for the next slot, gutted as they too are a favourite of mine, hopefully next year.

Slackrr was on a little later, but unfortunately, we took time out to get a bite to eat and missed them. I did hear however they put on a great energetic set. Next time kids.

Hitting the stage next, a band we saw last year, and was chuffed to see them again, Angry Itch. One of the bands who are as physical as they are musical on stage, an amazing presence, with exceptional bass work. Melodically chaotic throughout the whole, always a crowd pleaser and a pleasure to see them again.

Noose, a band I’m unsure ive seen before, but played a blinding set. A slight American sound again with melodic punk rock blasting out. The 2nd guitarist adding to the depth of their music. Shout out to the drummer who must have lost a stone in weight with sweat loss, worked his wotsits off. Blinder of a set, hope to see em again soon.

Face Up takes the stage by storm, Roxanne the lead vocalist, a powerhouse of energy, passion and a bit of lunacy thrown in. Astonishing vocals both on and off the stage, as the whole band powered through a non-stop set of ear-splitting punk. The crowd going along with the band’s ethos, it was clear this lot love what they do. Amazing set.

Headliner for the day, The Zipheads. Right, bit of a quandary this one, not quite sure why they were asked to play, as I wouldn’t put them down as punk. However, and big however it was, they were exceptional. Psychobilly/Rockabilly rock n roll with a little punk undertone to it. Outstanding guitar work and double bass perfectly kept together by superb drum work. This was a highlight of the weekend for me, without taking anything away at all from the other great bands. Keep an eye out for them if ya haven’t already seen them. Brilliant set, amazing musicians.

So that was the last band of day 1. Heading back to the tentage area, many head off to sleep, the heat clearly taking its toll. A few of us stay up for a while, trying to cool down, and take in what an amazing first day it had been, with a beverage or 2!

Day 2 starts off with the usual groans around the field of sore heads and various bodily noises. The boiling of kettles for that first brew of the day, and as the morning progresses, the sounds and smell of frying bacon for breakfast. The weather is stunning, warm and knowing the heat will return, as it transpires, not quite as hot as yesterday. The usual routine is a chill out time until about 12 ish, where a good chunk of the tenty types head on down o the local pub for a pint or 2. On arrival at The Old Crown, someone had the sense to put a kid’s paddling pool in the beer garden, and yes, the obvious happened. Punks old and young, stripping down for a much-needed dip in the sun, ice lollies and pints of cider at the ready. Anyone coming into the pub must have wondered what the hell was going on. A short time later, I and few others head back to the farm to get the BBQ on and cook for our little gang. Once fed, its time to head back to the cow shed for the day’s entertainment.

First up we have Hospital Food. Old school punk rock, no frills music from this 3 piece. Seen these on numerous occasions, always put on a good show, and as usual always a tough one to be the first band on, but again, as usual the lads put on a great show in front of a decent crowd.

The Puncturists have their first taste of Mayhem. Not been around that long, and off shoot if you like from System of Hate. Gail the singer, and I hope you don’t mind me saying this, states at the start of one of the songs, that she only started singing in band as a “mature” lady. It didn’t show, forever grinning and smiling as she ploughed through the set, clearly loving what she a and the boys do, coming into the crowd, mic in hand having the time of her life. Vocally reminiscent of early female fronted punk bands, she has clearly stepped up to the mark, which could be seen by looking at the crowd. It’s generally a struggle for new bands to make their mark, but these seem to have done quicker than most. Great set.

Apologies, we missed Fatal Dose, but heard good things about them. Hopefully see em in the future at some point.

Eastfield, what is there to say about these that hasn’t been said before. As Jess would say, same set, same songs for the last 16 years. No matter where ya see em, or how big the crowd, everyone knows the songs and it just becomes one big singalong. The peoples favourite I’d say. Bloody marvellous.

Right then. Ive only said this a handful of times over the years, but every once in a while, a band comes along that almost take ya breath away. Roadkill Drive Drive-Thru is one of them. Usually when at gigs, camera in hand, I get straight to it, snapping away as ya do. On this occasion, I stood there transfixed, as this 3 piece did their thing. Mesmerising, clear, tuneful bass lines in every song, ripping guitar work alongside drums. Then there is the voice, the searing intensity taking me by surprise, didn’t know their songs at the time, but oh I do now. Unbeknown to me then, they are an offshoot of the old band Freedom Faction. Massively obvious to see how tight and professional they are, without losing the rawness that so many bands seem to lose as they progress. This, to me, was the band of the weekend. And it seems Mayhem has a habit of doing this. Astonishing set. Sorry, got a bit mushy there…………………….and I don’t care.

Drongos for Europe. Another one of those prolific bands who you know always put on a great set. Usual tight musicianship, with the intensity that Tommy always gives in his vocals and expression. I recall when I first saw these, thinking that Tommy could knock ya down with just one look. This is a prime example of how many musicians, generally singers, change into their alter ego when on stage. And in this case, it only adds to the show. Ya just know that by listening to him, he means every word he utters. Fantastic set yet again.

Missed The Sentence for some food. Sorry all. But have seen em before, a tight outfit playing in ya face street punk.

And finally, to end the weekend, the inimitable Roughneck Riot. Always a crowd puller with their folky punk attitude played at 100 mph. Clever use of mandolin and banjo, give these not quite a unique sound, but certainly the vibe of sommat slightly different to the rest. Fast melodic and very catchy singalong tunes with an Irish folk undercurrent. This is definitely a dance and sing to band, the shed was bouncing to every track, and again, the band feeding off the energy spewed out by the punters. During the set, Matty mentioned about first playing here when they were in their 20’s, yeah cheers for that, how to make an old punk feel old. Brilliant set as is the norm with these. And am glad ya got ya guitar back. Cheers

There ya go, Mayhem @ Micks, the not any more best kept secret on the calendar. As stated earlier, our fave weekend of the year, with the best hosts, beautiful countryside, the amazing company we keep, cider, BBQ and cows.

Incidentally, as I have said year after year, a big ol special shout out to Josh and Sean, the sound crew. What you do in a cow shed of all places, is nothing short of wizardry. To make a breeze block and corrugated iron shed sound the way you do, is extraordinary. Cheers.

Usual uncompromising thanks to Mick, Kirky and Trina for this special weekend, and long may it continue. Til next year ya rotters. Cheers.

Links:

Leech Bleeders
https://www.facebook.com/leechbleeders
leechbleeders.bandcamp.com/

Suckerpunch
https://www.facebook.com/punchbags77
Suckerpunch4music@gmail.com
https://suckerpunch4music.wixsite.com

Slackrr
https://www.facebook.com/Slackrr
Slackrrband@gmail.com

Angry Itch
https://www.facebook.com/AngryItch
angryitch@hotmail.com
instagram.com/angry_itch
https://angryitch.co.uk

Noose
https://www.facebook.com/noosenotts
colnoose@gmail.com
youtube.com/channel/UC4_kTpkZdl-t-E20YXXx4sA

Face Up
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578096472842
Faceupuk@outlook.com
https://faceupuk.com

The Zipheads
https://www.facebook.com/zipheads
thezipheads@gmail.com
instagram.com/Zipheads
tiktok.com/@zipheads
https://linktr.ee/zipheads

Hospital Food
https://www.facebook.com/hospital.food.uk
123hospitalfood@gmail.com

The Puncturists
https://www.facebook.com/thepuncturists

admin@puncturists.com
https://puncturists.com