These Wicked Rivers - review at Trinity Centre, Bristol, 6 October, 2026

With a Top 20 album behind them and only five songs to make their mark, Derby's blues-rockers These Wicked Rivers delivered a lean, powerful set at the Trinity Centre in Bristol that showed exactly why their stock continues to rise.

The band supported Robert Jon & The Wreck for an unforgettable night of superb musicianship, songwriting, camaraderie and old school rock'n'roll. Support slots are often about making an impression quickly.

These Wicked Rivers needed just five songs and thirty minutes to remind everyone why they're one of the most talked-about bands on the British rock circuit.Fresh from seeing new album Fire And Folklore enter the UK charts at No. 19, the band arrived with a growing reputation and left with plenty more admirers.

All photos by Laurie Monk.

There was no unnecessary stagecraft, no gimmicks, just a band confident in its songs and completely at ease in front of a packed room.

Formed in 2014 in Belper, Derbyshire. The band have gained a reputation for soulful-bordering-on-spiritual live performances, building a devoted following.  

Opening with "Shine On" from debut album Eden, they immediately established the mix of blues, southern rock and muscular riffing that has become their hallmark. It was a smart choice, bridging where the band started and where they find themselves now, a decade into a journey that has been built steadily rather than overnight.

The focus quickly shifted to the new record with "Ain't No Smoke", one of the standout moments from new album Fire And Folklore. Live, the song carried real weight, driven by Arran Day's forceful guitar work and the band's trademark groove. It demonstrated how These Wicked Rivers have broadened their sound without losing the grit that earned them a loyal following.

"Testify" followed and provided one of the set's biggest reactions. Drawn from Force Of Nature, the song remains a perfect example of the band's ability to blend bluesy swagger with hard-rock punch. John Hartwell's commanding vocal gave the track its edge, while the rhythm section locked everything together with the assurance of a band that has spent years honing its craft on the road.

Another highlight arrived with "Horse To Water", a song that has already become a key part of the Fire And Folklore story. Its blues-soaked guitar lines and infectious melodies translated perfectly in the live setting, while its themes of struggle and redemption added greater depth. The crowd response suggested many had already connected with the new material.

The set closed with "Don't Pray For Me", arguably the defining song in the These Wicked Rivers catalogue. Built around a huge chorus and a sense of hard-earned emotion, it remains the band's ultimate statement piece and encapsulates everything that makes the band special.

They have produced a genuine anthem.

As a finale it was impossible to fault, sending the Bristol crowd into loud applause and proving once again why it has become such a live favourite.

What makes These Wicked Rivers stand out is that their rise has been achieved the hard way. They have spent years touring relentlessly, and refining their sound. Fire And Folklore feels like the reward for that persistence.

Their return to Bristol in November for a headline appearance at Thekla already looks like perfect timing. On the evidence of this concise but convincing performance, These Wicked Rivers are not a band chasing momentum. They are a band earning it.