First up: Milkshed. They exploded onto the stage with a ferocious energy, delivering a modern garage rock sound, all curated from a disused milk parlour in the Southwest.  

The UK alt-rock 3-piece is made up of Cam Gallaher on vocals and guitar, Jake Tully on bass, and Alf Grey on drums. The trio plays explosive rhythm-focused tracks with grungy melodies.  

Paired with Cam’s emotional vocals, their set list felt like an updated take on 2000s emo, with strong storytelling and thoughtful lyrics, especially in their song “Burning Bridges.”  

For me? The track “Just Wanna Give” was a real highlight, with its tribal drum toms and airy guitar of the verse, building up to the memorable lyrics in the chorus.  

Energy is high throughout the set, with Cam setting the tone of the night by coming into the crowd and bashing a few bodies. They play the crowd well and their instruments even better, with guitar and bass erupting into catchy breakdowns, such as in their closer track “LMTD”.  

This heavy tune got the crowd moving with a feeling that’s probably like taking off in a rocket to space. I still haven’t come down yet. Thoroughly enjoyed this set, Keep an eye out for these guys in the future.

Exeter band Poppyshow teased us into the second act with a gradual opener that slowly built into a bouncy guitar-led tune that instantly got the crowd going.  

The trash rock four-piece consists of Jacob Horton on vocals and rhythm guitar, Greg Kerti on Bass, Will Squier on lead guitar and James Fielden on drums. There is a grungy backbone to the music, but it stays fresh with funky guitar riffs and groovy basslines.

The band played their newly released track “Out of Ur Head”, which was received enthusiastically by the crowd. The drums certainly drove their sound, getting the Cavern crowd cheered and danced from the get-go.  

Throughout the gig, Jacobs’ vocals impressed with their Justin Hawkins’ likeness. There is a lot of power and emotion in his voice and lyrics, consistently backed up with technical skill to really hit those hard to hit notes.  

Will’s gloomy guitar plays, and James’ pulsating drums ascended to the chorus of rock anthems, a slight diversion from their previous sound. Together, with Jacob’s raw vocals, the band reached the peak form of pop punk break-up songs with lyrics that felt so right to scream in the depths of the Cavern.  

What was even more right was the cover of Girls Aloud’s Love Machine that followed. The group claim Girls Aloud as an influence, which was apparent as they killed it with high-octane energy. “Needed Ur Bed” was another massive tune and the band’s most well-known, evidenced by the crowd singing along.  

And “Breakdown City”? Loved it. Poppyshow finished with a thrashy tune that prompted Jacob to get into the crowd, bumping bodies to massive bass lines.   

Poppyshow are a polished quality act with great songs, energy and crowd work. Exactly what you want in the Cavern, an Exeter staple. Get down and see them if you haven’t already.

The psychedelic street punk trio Bones Ate Arfa headlined the night with their massive, chaotic sound. Made up of Bones on guitar, 8 on drums and Arfa on vocals and bass, they created a feral atmosphere in the Cavern.  

Catchy melodies on blown-out bass and distorted guitar paired with grungy screamo vocals, making their music feel wild and volatile, especially with the jazz-like grooves on the drums.  

There were many big breakdowns accompanied with experimental sounds. Early on, when playing “Vineyard”, a track from their 2025 EP “Just Bananas”, the haunting riffs and hypnotic drums built the crowd up, ready to unleash their full force.   

There were many musical interludes, with Arfa using his green-starred bass to point into the crowd before running off stage with Bones. 8 came into the crowd with a cowbell like a little alien, creating the space in front of the stage as the audience clapped along. There was a huge dissonant, distorted buildup, and Arfa proudly displayed the taped “F*ck Reform” words on the back of the bass to huge cheers from the crowd.  

As the thrashy punk instrumental continues, the pit forms in agreement with his statement. 

There’s a short pause as the group gets the crowd to shout “Soda”, the name of a new track they’re recording for audiences. Big breakdowns continued, and “Asbestos” was played with its intense grooves, keeping the mosh pit going with the longest and most needed drum fill to end.  

The band knew exactly how to work the crowd and create an atmosphere in the Cavern. The pop punk tune, “Don’t Leave Me Now” followed, continuing the frenzy at the front with big bass and melting guitar riffs.  

There was a Latin-sounding breakdown that further showed the band’s talent and point-blank refusal to be put in a genre box; the crowd loved it. Arfa then told the crowd that the next song would be their “Fleetwood Mac moment” encouraging Cavern dwellers to chill out and get a drink. I was genuinely shocked when they then launched into their heaviest screamo song yet: “Mary Molotov”.   

The band’s endless energy was infectious and continued to build through their penultimate and most recent track “It’s All Good”. My favourite of the night. 

Arfa’s resonant vocals hung on the dark and punchy riffs in the chorus built up by 8’s drums. What followed was a dissonant breakdown that felt like the end of the world. The crowd were encouraged to leave their sweat on the stage for the closer “Akimbo People”. A perfect mix of rhythmical bass, build-ups and breakdowns, leaving us wanting more.  

If you can see Bones Ate Arfa on their tour, I strongly urge you to do so…before they get big. Because they will.  

Thanks to the Cavern and Obvious Events for putting on another great night of music, yet again.