JUNE BOOM 2025: STAY LOUD AND STAY LOCAL

Library floors, underground venues, local legends.

That’s a wrap on hashtag #JuneBoom!

Exeter’s music scene showed up and showed off during the month of June and we were right there with it.

June Boom was a celebration of the scene, featuring music, history, arts and culture. The month’s line-up of indie and grassroots music events proved that Exeter’s scene is as diverse and dynamic as ever. Involving Music were on the ground throughout, capturing the hook and the harmonies. And now, as the feedback buzz still rings in our ears and camera rolls overflow, we’re wrapping things up the only way we know how: with a nod to the local legends who made it all happen.

Photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
Photo Credit: Involving Music
Technicolour Steam Train Photo Credit: Apertography

Team IM’s Gee kicked off with Twin Atlantic at Exeter Phoenix, a band that’s no stranger to high-stakes energy and emotional depth. Their set reminded Gee what happens when a seasoned band hits their stride in a venue that lives and breathes music.

The Phoenix crowd was loud and loyal. As one of Exeter’s iconic independent venues, it set the tone for a city-wide celebration of sound.

Next up, Exeter Respect Festival. The annual celebration of music and community is always marked on the calendars of Exeter residents. Every year, the Belmont Park event reminds us why this city’s scene flourishes: it’s built on spirit and serious talent.

Local band No Ordinary Fish showed up to support other local legends, be it Trikkeballakke’s southern Italian rhythms, Saff Juno’s fierce femininity, the chilled-out flow of Leonian Dream, or the spell-binding vocals of Cat Rose; each act brought something honest and heartfelt.

On a sweaty Tuesday night (as all the best ones are), we packed ourselves into The Cavern for a lineup that shook the underground bricks and filled the floor.

With 3 Days of Wonder, The Kabins and Haytor, we saw the very best of Devon’s indie scene. Each band brought their punchy lyrics, polished anthems and stage synchronicity to their sets.

It was personal, up-close, and undeniably powerful. We even had first ears on two of the band’s soon-to-be-released’s. If you missed it, catch our full review for the play-by-play and crowd favourites.

Rounding things off with a curveball, Dewey Decibels at Exeter Central Library flipped the script on what live music can look like. With Japan, Man, GRLBND and the wonderfully energetic Technicolour Steam Train, the shelves shook, the crowd danced and the lines between venue and vibe blurred beautifully.

So many standouts for us, check out our write-up for backstage access. Big shout-out to Obvious Events for making it happen, and to the crowd for bringing the energy to every single act.

More than a month of gigs, June Boom was a reminder of why Involving Music exists: to connect, capture and celebrate local music.

We witnessed International talent sharing lineups with college grads, nostalgia-inducing covers and never-heard-before originals, community-led programming powered by pure passion and the next wave of Exeter’s artists stepping into their sound.

Exeter turned up and turned out. And we’ll be here all year long to keep the spotlight on.

Want us at your next show? Or fancy being featured? Email hello@involvingmusic.com or head to www.involvingmusic.com to get involved.

Stay loud, stay local.

Involving Music x June Boom banner for Exeter 2025. — Photo Credit: Involving Music

You must accept all cookie notice categories in order to view this content.

Review Privacy Settings

You must accept all cookie notice categories in order to view this content.

Review Privacy Settings

– Chelsea Branch

Chelsea Branch, a roots, rocksteady, reggae and everything in between enthusiast. First gig was to see the Ordinary Boys at the Lemon Grove (Exeter) at 16 after taking a liking to their Ska-inspired track 'Rudy's in Love' (and the frontman, Preston). After University, she spent seven years in brilliant Bristol, revelling in its dynamic music scene—a move very much inspired by a first-time visit to St Paul's Carnival. She now lives in Exeter alongside her partner Bev, embracing Devon country life and swapping sound systems for sea swimming and scriptwriting.

Share the love.