Massive Wagons – Parr Hall, Warrington: Live Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 8th February 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Massive Wagons, Scarlet Rebels – Parr Hall, Warrington – Saturday 7th February2026

MASSIVE WAGONS

Here we are again, almost very close to two years on from the last visit to Warrington when we had a full album playback of Welcome To The World. There’s an obvious affinity between Massive Wagons and the Par Hall. Not that Wagons gigs are ever anything less than causes for celebration with the MW community, but the gathering in Warrington gathering feels like something special as wagoneers from all over converge on Palmyra Square. Despite the seasonably wet weather, spirits are high with anticipation with a wide demographic packing into a sold out venue.

“What a place!” enthuses Baz Mills as he waxes lyrical about the venue. He’s clearly revved up, pacing and prowling like a caged beast inbetween songs, awaiting the chance to let some can-can kicking energy loose. Tonight, it’s a one off performance of the Full Nelson album with some extras – and erm, surprises – thrown in for good measure. So with a brief to avoid any cheesy wrestling cliches – there’s nothing remotely fake about MW – off we go.

SING IT BACK TO ME

An interesting album is Full Nelosn, earning a place in the 2026 Record Store day with a special pressing for those who weren’t there the first time around. One that the band recognise as a massive turning point. Personally, it was the gateway album as it seems to have been for many, so holds a special place. The first too to feature guitarist Stevie Holl who as ever, seems to be in a grinning contest with his guitar slinger buddy Adam Thistlethwaite, which he’s always going to win. Adam adopts the humble, shy grin while Stevie holds nothing back.

Backed by the eight sets of vertical spotlights (check out the upcoming Live At The Great Hall art for their effect), there’s a slight shift in the set up. Drummer Alex Thistlethwaite sits rather high yet dominantly on his drum riser while his rhythm partner, looking in great shape (as will soon be revealed) Adam Bouskill is right up front with is BVs mic in the front line.

The buzz and a sense of fun that accompanies Massive Wagons everywhere they go is out to play and in full force as they run down Full Nelson. From the opening sequence, Under No Illusion and Billy Balloonhead are riotous. With their debut live album release imminent, there’s already a feeling that a recording of this set would go down a treat in the catalogue.

HITS AND DEEP CUTS

It’s an album that contains other big hitters; the likes of Back To The Stack where they can all ‘Quo off’, never far from the thoughts when planning any setlist (or indeed a ‘greatest hits’ compilation), yet tonight it follows on the heels of Robot. The latter one of those songs, sandwiched twixt Northern Boy and Stack, that might have seen the light of day “just the once” and as Baz says, “you’ve made the effort so we should too.” No skimping or short changing, as even the tracks that would have been once labelled (and maybe still are) as B-sides get rolled out.

And having polished off Full Nelson, some tracks of which might be destined for long waited returns to the live set, we get another half hour of selections from the legacy that merit the ‘crowd pleasing’ label. A sequence that kicks off with the latest anthem amongst anthems, maybe inspired by the old football crowd chant, Everywhere We Go, with Stevie tonight in an alternative Whitesnake band shirt from the video. With half an hour or so to fill, they can afford to cherry pick and cherry pick they do.

THE MW COMMUNITY

The immortal (cue Lego minifigure visions) Bangin’ In Your Stereo and House Of Noise are prime bangers in a set of bangers while Night Skies gives an emotional little nudge of the band’s commitment to backing mental health awareness. In addition to the musical support, Andy’s Man Club reps are again present. An organisation which has seen a significant growth from humble beginnings and support for mental health backed by the band carrying the message through to their music.

And who was expecting the lads to return in their pants for the encore? Giving new meaning to ‘first three songs no flash’, it only leaves one place to go when they turn up in tow years time at the Parr Hall for a run through of House Of Noise. Bare asses aside, the communal message is rammed home with a mighty finale In It Together. In a room full of contenders, could this be the Wagons’ signature song? Expect nothing less when they return to the UK stages with EWG ’26. Now – who’s sweeping up all that confetti?

SCARLET REBELS

We’re familiar with Scarlet Rebels from their Where The Colours Meet album which struck an ATB chord back in ’24. Cut from very much the same cloth as the Wagons, the quartet from Wales play a perfect warm up set. Especially when they kick off with the big guns – the fire and hooks of Secret Drug setting the tone following a drum solo (who starts the set with a drum solo!? as Gary Doyle makes the most of a slight delay as the chaps arrive on stage).

Chris Jones makes up for the delay with a series of guitar hero shapes that test the jeans as he switches between near splits and cradling his guitar on this chest for a series of solos that alternately drip with emotion or shred like billy-oh.

Invoking the crowd to willing join in – warming up the voices for the Wagons – on Grace, they offer both a call and response with Wayne Doyle admitting “we can sing but we can’t play rugby!” after a Six Nations mauling at Twickenham earlier in the day. As the catchy hooks fly thick and fast, even with “a song about living in Wales,” the rebels leave the stage having successfully inducted the patrons of the Parr Hall (“even you in the posh seats upstairs”) into the Rebel Club. There’s a grand show of hands as Wayne asks who’s coming back if they play in the locale again before they finish with Let Me In. Another banger with a singalong part that’s duly accepted. Not surprising as a few Rebels T shirts already show they have an audience and have done a sterling job for their inclusion on the bill.