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A self-confessed confused, loud two-piece from Dublin, Bicurious have built a reputation for riff sing-alongs, grooves that open up mosh pits and get heads banging, and the undeniable chemistry between the two remarkable musicians, Bicurious have been making their mark in the instrumental post-rock scene throughout Europe over the past 7 years. Bicurious juxtapose spacey and rhythmic with heavy and delirious. They build wide, engaging soundscapes that sway between math-rock riffs, post-rock progressions and noisy breakdowns, while keeping a strong focus on catchy hooks. The band’s highly anticipated second album Your Life is Over Now… is a powerful, much more lyrical body of work, released via Big Scary Monsters in 2024.

They join us as part of their Choose The Bear Spring 2025 tour. A band known for their ferocious and joyous live shows, MMATS have graced stages at such notable festivals as Slam Dunk, Bearded Theory, North West Calling, Kendal Calling, Rebellion and Boomtown, and have previously toured with the likes of Less Than Jake and Ferocious Dog. The band explore themes of loss, betrayal, heartbreak, anxiety, environmental concern and political unrest – all while exuding the punk attitude and prowess that helps set them apart – and have been championed by the likes of the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, BBC Introducing and Radio X alongside press coverage from Devolution, Fireworks, Powerplay and Vive Le Rock magazines.

After the huge success of the first Dark Reign metal festival in June, we’re delighted to welcome back the 2025 edition on Saturday 3rd May. Heart Of A Coward are celebrated stalwarts of the British metal scene, and they headline this year’s event alongside deathcore outfit Osiah from Sunderland. Joining them are Raised By Owls, Lokust, Draconian Reign, Dekaytah, Exhumation, Asleep At The Helm and Absolence, with more still to be announced.

Future Yard’s favourite Wizard-fronted psychedelic rock experience Cothel headline in Birkenhead on Sunday 4th May, celebrating the launch of the debut album That Feeling You Get… (out 2nd May) with a packed bill featuring some of their favourite sonic wanderers. More than simply just a band, Cothel are a psychedelic rock experience fronted by The Wizard himself, who take you on a journey through the emotional spectrum of psychedelia. Originally a made up concept, Cothel have grown to mean much more than its very long and convoluted definition. Many talented songwriters, producers, and musicians have helped interpret this so called “feeling” into an album, That Feeling You Get… does just that.

A composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music, Cerys explores the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and is also interested in found sounds, archival materials and electronic processing. She comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea. Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.

Events 471 takes over Future Yard on Friday 9th May to present acclaimed drummer Mark Guiliana for an intimate drumming masterclass and live performance in Birkenhead in his first ever show in the north of England Hailed by The New York Times as “a drummer around whom a cult of admiration has formed,” Grammy-nominated drummer and composer Mark Guiliana is celebrated worldwide for his innovative artistry and electrifying performances. This May, he brings his boundless energy, creativity, and passion to Future Yard for an unforgettable night!

Irreverent and idiosyncratic, the out-there northern crooner comes to town! Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip performs at Future Yard on Saturday 10th May. A poet, performer, artist and comedian, Mik spouts lyrics, creates chaos, plays air-crook lock(!), and all-out entertains over the top of an exquisite layer of rock, soul, funk, and punk created by partner in crime Jonny Flockton on guitar. Delightful, frightening, strange and hysterically funny, Mik throws shapes and straws, and croons like a dream – sometimes.

We team up with April Moon for a huge serving of Americana-adjacent sonic goodness at Future Yard on Sunday 11th May, the ‘Canadiana’ duo joined on the day in Birkenhead by Skylarks, Leanne Brumfitt, Only Child and The John Street Revival. April Moon’s fun, whimsical songwriting style fuses genres, weaving effortlessly from alt-country and Americana to folksy blues and rock although their latest singles and full-length album, 2022’s The Other One Was You definitely leans towards the sounds of their more rootsy upbringing. They call it ‘Canadiana’ – think Americana, but with a big helping of northern charm that oozes through their style of kooky storytelling and lyrics, creating a vivid, sunshine-filled world that covers everything from love, scandal and divorce to life on the prairies, living in an abandoned brewery, cow autopsies, and the nomad life.

Alain Johannes + Earl Of Hell return to the UK in May 2025, performing at Future Yard on Friday 16th May. Johannes’ last trip over the pond in 2024 was such a success that he’s back again just a year later, once again be joined by Edinburg- based fuzz rockers and adopted nephews Earl Of Hell as his backing band and tour support, they’ll also be hot off the heels of the release of their debut album, co-produced by none other than Uncle Alain.

9×9 Records takes over Future Yard once again to present Henry Priestman on Saturday 17th May for a special gig he’ll be playing to celebrate his 70th birthday (!!). Henry will be joined by Les Glover and no doubt a host of other guests and reprobates…and the important thing is, IT’S SEATED! Henry formed his first band 60 years ago, aged 9, the (original) Chuddy Nuddies. They were perhaps ahead of their time, and miming/playing cricket bats for guitars was always going to be a bit ‘niche’. Since then, there’s been Desmond’s Leg (1971-73), The Hull Art College Foundation Band (1974), Vic Vespa and the CZs (1974-75), The Edgehill Players (1975-76), Albert Dock (1976-77), The Chuddy Nuddies (vsn 2, 1977), Yachts (1977-81), It’s Immaterial (1978-85), and The Christians (1985-95, 1999-2007)…to say nothing of tours playing keyboards with The Mighty Wah (1984), and Echo & The Bunnymen (1998).