By Matt Haynes
(Image: Official tour poster below, all artist photos courtesy of In My Lens Photography)
Scene, External: Dark, cold, little bit wet. A long queue is gathered outside The Foundry in Sheffield eager to see 3 artists who have come together for the first show of the ‘Blossom’ Tour. On the line-up:
- Hertfordshire Alt-Metal act Defences
- American ‘Traumacore’ Alternative artist SkyDxddy
- Southampton Alternative Rock RØRY.
When the doors eventually opened (according to a friend who was in attendance, there was a lot of miscommunication between staff members result in queues getting mixed up…), the crowd started pouring in ready to see what these three acts had in store.
First up – Defences. This is a band that has been on my scope for quite a well, especially after their release of 2024 album ‘Shadowlight’. I had attempted to see them 4 times throughout 2025 and yet every time, I was hindered in doing so. Granted the first time was because I forgot what date they were playing in Nottingham and was reminded by a fellow attendee who messaged me asking where I was (a fun little fact I shared with the band at the end of the show and was jokingly teased about before leaving)…and the other 3 times were purely because I couldn’t get to the shows…so this time I was adamant I was going to see them. Sadly, due to the delays with the doors being opened, I missed the first two songs of their set BUT the upside to this was Defences were channelling huge energy to make sure they could be heard both in and outside the venue. When I eventually got inside, I was met by Defences taking to the stage as if they were the headline act. High energy and incredible songs showed the band were more than ready to get the crowd warmed up. This was a band that sounded exactly like they did on their albums - incredible musical hooks, powerful lyrics filled to the brim of emotions and a captivating energy rang throughout the songs old and new within the set. The combination of Cherry's incredible vocals and the band's melodic song writing demonstrate just why they are a becoming such an iconic band within the music scene. And all whilst wearing a huge smile on their faces being able to do what they clearly love doing – sharing their songs and messages with fans previous and new alike.
Artist: Defences
Photo Credit: In My Lens Photography
The time quickly flew by and the last note was hit. Defences took a bow and left the stage ready for the crew to set up for the next act – SkyDxddy. Now prior to the show, I knew nothing about this artist. I didn’t know what to expect and had no idea what genre of music I’d be hearing. Speaking to a Nottinghamshire couple outside prior to the show, the two things I did learn was SkyDxddy had travelled over from America and was a huge advocate of mental health. With this in mind, the lights dimmed and the first beat came on over the system. Taking to the stage was a single member, SkyDxddy herself, who proved she had the energy of a full band in her body. Combining elements of Hip-Hop, Rock and Pop, there was a fierce and bold energy emanating from the stage. Being her first ever show in the UK, you’d think there would be nerves…but the crowd were pumped and united in screaming back SkyDxddy’s songs and words when she requested…and even when she didn’t. This was a set full of emotion and tears, both sad and happy as SkyDxddy told her story to the crowd about who she is and why she does what she does with music. The genre of Hip-Hop music isn’t my usual go-to, but even I was getting swallowed up by the energy SkyDxddy brought to the stage and found the songs infectious and riveting. What also made SkyDaddy's set one to remember was the sense of community within the room from start to finish of this set, fans constantly singing along word for word on pretty much every song. For a first time UK show, SkyDxddy did an incredible job (especially with her quick adaption of British swears and insults which received high applause from the crowd) and is in for a treat with the rest of the UK leg of the tour.
Artist: SkyDxddy
Photo Credit: In My Lens Photography
With a crowd photo under her belt and a massive smile on her face, SkyDxddy left the stage ready for the final act. With the familiar voice of one Rich Pink appearing over the system with a few little skits and details of a merch competition to be won during the show, the fans were eager and getting closer to the stage. The sense of excitement was constantly building and when the lights dimmed once more, the crowd filled the room with a mighty roar as the time had finally come. The minute RØRY took the stage, the room erupted into cheers and voices singing along to the first song. RØRY appeared, bouncing on the stage with a huge smile as the energy in the room grew louder and louder with each note. The set that followed was full of laughs, tears, more swear words, more jokes and the fans screaming along. There were times that RØRY was stood in happy shock and disbelief as the fans sang along to the songs, sometimes being even louder than the headline act themselves. With a mixture of songs old and new (including a couple of extra treats such as the ‘prize winner’ section and the announcement that RØRY was heading to Download Festival in 2026) and some mingling in the crowd, there was an infectious tone in the air that had the fans coming together and embracing each other. One of the more beautiful and incredible powers of music is the ability to unite people, and this was certainly the case over the course of the set.
The last note played, and the end of the evening had arrived. RØRY took their final bow and left the stage, clearly (and rightfully so) buzzing from the successful first night of the ten-night tour that would see them hitting venues across the UK and Europe.
Artist: RØRY
Photo Credit: In My Lens Photography
One theme that was clear throughout the evening was the sense of unity. Each artist that performed used their music to portray their own messages of fighting through difficult times, finding courage when you were lost and reminding you its OK to not be OK. Tears and smiles were shared between artists and fans alike. Strangers embraced each other and during certain points, I could hear fans sharing stories based on the songs that were being performed and why they had an impact on them. Within a time where the world is in a strange and confusing place, music once again united us and reminded us there is light past the shadows.
If I was to summarise the evening in one sentence...it would be this: Laughs, Tears, Smiles, Swear Words and Unity. The signs of a fantastic evening created by three equally brilliant artists.
Artist: RØRY
Photo Credit: In My Lens Photography
Add comment
Comments