Occupants were the first to hit the stage and kick off what turned out to be a long but damn good night at New Cross Inn.
They brought a sharp-edged punk rock sound, packed with gritty lyrics and high-energy vibes. With the vocalist/guitarist playing barefoot and growling through each track like he owned the place, you could tell these guys felt right at home. It wasn’t just a performance; it felt like they were in their element, doing what they love, and it showed.
Next up, Luxury Apartments, a rising name in London’s underground scene. They were tight, loud, and locked in. Their set had this raw urgency, and the chemistry between the band members was solid, no excess, just pure sound and stage presence. You could tell they’ve been grinding in the scene and they’re hungry for more.
Before the highly anticipated Ronker set, we got hit with Predeceased, from Manchester. They came in with a fierce post-hardcore/noise rock mix—think heavy riffs, unfiltered distortion, and a relentless pace. These guys didn’t waste a second. The frontman had a serious edge, tearing through each song like it was a personal mission. By the end of their set, they had the crowd fired up and ready for whatever was coming next.
I’ve always loved supporting local bands, and Occupants, Luxury Apartments, and
Predeceased delivered way more than just warm-up sets. They each brought something
different, but all three showed they’ve got what it takes to go further. Real talent, real passion,
and they knew how to light up that room.
Ronker
Straight outta Belgium, Ronker kicked off their United Kingdom Smile Like a Big Boy Tour at the legendary New Cross Inn in London and holy hell, what a way to start.
These guys came in ready to blow the roof off, and they did just that. Known for their wild stage energy, Ronker didn’t disappoint for a second. The frontman didn’t even wait for the first note, he just started running around the damn venue in circles, warming up and dragging everyone closer to the stage. Absolute chaos and the perfect way to fire things up.
Sadly though, that was the only tiny circle pit we got all night. Bit of a shame. They opened with Professional Facebreaker, a straight-up blast of raw energy and filthy noise, no better way to launch a UK tour than with that sonic punch in the teeth. It’s off their debut album Fear Is a Funny Thing, Now Smile Like a Big Boy and yeah, that title’s nuts, but it fits.
People have been raving about Ronker’s live shows lately, calling them frantic and visceral and damn right they are. These guys don’t just play a gig, they burn the place down. Jasper, the vocalist, was a beast from start to finish. There were maybe 30 of us in that room, but he made it feel like a warzone. He even apologized for his broken English, but honestly, no one cared… the attitude, the presence, the sound? That’s all that mattered.
They blasted through more tracks off the debut like Slow Murder, Black Toast, and HIIT, and threw in bangers from their EP Self Loathing Self Help too: Shame and Goliath, which absolutely slapped. Goliath especially? Brutal. Perfect showcase of their twisted “speednoise” style — loud, fast, relentless.
They wrapped it all up with Fear, and there’s nothing more to say. Just pure, unfiltered talent
and energy from start to finish.
Hope they’re back in London soon, ‘cause this was just a small taste of what they’re capable of. New Cross Inn got scorched and next time, they better bring the whole damn firestorm.