Get involved

WHAT A LINE-UP! LIVE FROM THE CAVERN: ALT-ROCK + AMBIENCE + A WHOLE LOT OF COMMUNITY

May 2025 by Chelsea Branch

This post may contain affiliate links.

GRLBND sitting on metal stairs, posing casually in grunge style with focused expressions in dimly lit setting.

A WHOLE LOT OF COMMUNITY

For More Oliver Clatworthy

Who said Wednesdays were for staying in?

Exeter Cavern again proved why it holds its place at the core of the Southwest’s grassroots music scene. Hosted by Oliver Clatworthy, a passionate advocate of the Southwest scene and local interviewer of bands and musicians, the debut event on 23rd April marked an exciting new chapter for Oliver and Exeter’s live music scene.

Four acts. Four sounds. Another unforgettable evening. The crowd’s energy reminded our social media manager, Gee, exactly why live music matters any time of the week.

As ever, from the moment the first note dropped, the spirit of The Cavern was obvious. With a not-for-one-minute-empty dancefloor, people were really living the music, dancing, singing, jumping and cheering.

Team IM’s Gee notes that it felt like the room was filled with friends, fans and first-timers tuned into the same frequency. Community in the Cavern, with two capital C’s.

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

Review Privacy Settings

The Line-Up

GRLBND

GRLBND: all-female indie-pop outfit making some serious sounds in the Exeter scene.

Gee, Team IM: “GRLBND were so great. They had such charisma and chemistry. Emily’s vocals wowed everyone throughout the set, and her final belted note was a goosebump moment. The band has a real tight indie-pop sound paired with a contagious energy. They had the crowd moving from the get-go.

  • Grlbnd performing live at a packed venue, with vibrant stage lighting and a captivated audience enjoying the energetic show.
    Grlbnd Photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Grlbnd frontwoman singing passionately into the microphone while bandmates play guitar and bass amid lively crowd and stage lighting.
    Grlbnd Photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Close-up of Grlbnd band members on stage, immersed in their music, with colourful lights casting dynamic shadows around them.
    Grlbnd Photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh

GRLBND

FINDING MARY

Finding Mary: Bath-based alt-rock with a funky, soulful twist

Gee, Team IM: The band had some undeniably groovy basslines met with indie rock hooks in a set that felt fresh. I could definitely hear the influence of the likes of  Red Hot Chilli’s and John Mayer. I think the band showed serious versatility. Their new single As It Comes got a huge reaction, with the audience singing along and getting into every chorus.

  • Finding Mary on stage with singer holding microphone, bassist playing, guitarist, and drummer in the background at intimate concert.
    Finding Mary photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Live band Finding Mary performing at a dimly lit venue, featuring singer, bassist, guitarist, and drummer with attentive audience members.
    Finding Mary photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Energetic performance by Finding Mary in purple and red stage lighting, showcasing female vocalist and musicians playing guitar, bass, and drums.
    Finding Mary photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh

Finding Mary

BREAK FOR LOVERS

Break for Lovers: experimental indie with candles, incense and synths

Gee, Team IM:  There were candles. Incense. Animal skulls. This wasn’t your average indie gig – Break For Lovers delivered a full sensory experience. Their set was atmospheric to say the least, with experimental synth-pop woven into gritty indie tones. They transformed the stage into something quite ritualistic, which made a lasting impression for sure.

  • Close-up of Break For Lovers performing live, intense purple lighting, guitarist focused on playing, drummer partially visible behind, vibrant stage atmosphere.
    Break For Lovers photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Band Break For Lovers playing live at Cavern, purple and red stage lights illuminating the vocalist and guitarist, audience silhouettes visible.
    Break For Lovers photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Lead singer of Break For Lovers at the microphone, surrounded by bandmates playing guitar and bass, vibrant lighting and concert energy.
    Break For Lovers photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh

Break For Lovers

Fever Rouge

Fever Rouge: Brighton alt-rockers back in Exeter with new EP Feed the Villain

Gee, Team IM: Headliners Fever Rouge came in fresh off their new EP Feed the Villain. The crowd had been waiting for that title track and when it dropped? Dancefloor chaos! But in a good way. Jumping, shouting, pure release. Their banter with the crowd made it feel less like a gig, more like a gathering of friends.

  • Lead guitarist and vocalist of Fever Rouge singing into microphone, illuminated by stage lights with focused expression and vintage brick backdrop.
    Fever Rouge photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Band Fever Rouge performing live on stage with purple and red lighting, energetic guitarist t-shirt playing passionately.
    Fever Rouge photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh
  • Band Fever Rouge performing live on stage with purple and red lighting, energetic guitarist t-shirt playing passionately.
    Fever Rouge photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh

Fever Rouge

Lead guitarist and vocalist of Fever Rouge singing into microphone, illuminated by stage lights with focused expression and vintage brick backdrop.
Fever Rouge photo Credit: Georgia Niblett-Pharaoh

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

Review Privacy Settings

Oliver Clatworthy Events

It’s nights like this that are what Involving Music is all about. Not just celebrating the artists (though they absolutely deserve it),  but honouring the spaces that make these connections possible.

These music experiences and venues are where bands test unreleased songs and find their first fans. Where crowds cheer so loudly, it gives artists the fuel to keep creating. Where someone’s next favourite band plays before anyone else knows their name.

Support these bands. Follow them. Stream their tracks. Buy the gig tickets. Support the venues. Talk about them. Tag them. Show up.

And most importantly?

Keep making noise about Southwest music.

– 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.