Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
Massive Wagons need no introduction, but sod it, I’m giving them one anyway.
Lancashire’s finest riff slinging, stage levitating, sweat powered rock ’n’ roll machine have been hammering out albums since 2009. Seven of them, in fact. Seven! And yet somehow, criminally, not enough people know who they are. FFS readers, sort yourselves out. You should know. You deserve to know.
In a world where rock and metal have splintered into more subgenres than a craft beer menu, Massive Wagons remain gloriously, defiantly simple: big riffs, big hooks, big hearts, and Baz Mills giving 150% every single time. When Baz bellows “I can’t fucking hear you!”, he’s not summoning demons or opening a portal to the underworld, he just wants you to join in the joy. Pure, unfiltered, communal joy. The kind you feel when “Pressure”, “House of Noise”, or the utterly feral “Nails” detonates through a venue.
I’ll admit it: like my balls dropping, I was late to the party when it comes to discovering Massive Wagons (yes, I said that out loud). It was Planet Rock Radio that shoved “Bangin’ in Your Stereo” into my ears, and instead of politely exploring the back catalogue like a normal human, I immediately thought, Nope. I need EVERYTHING.
So I bought the lot. Physical CDs. Compact Discs. Actual shiny circles. I’ve only ever done that twice in 35 years of rock fandom: Ghost… and Massive Wagons. That’s the level we’re dealing with.
I’ve seen them live more times than I’ve seen my own extended family, and I was lucky enough to shoot them at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, a night where I nearly wet myself with excitement (don’t worry, I’ve grown out of that phase – just). So when I heard they were releasing a live album from their Lancaster Great Hall show, I practically combusted. That was back in November. I’ve been pacing like an expectant father ever since.
But now… now I have it early. And dear reader, it is glorious.
Twelve tracks of pure, sweatdrenched, crowdroaring, riff stacked celebration. During “A.S.S.H.O.L.E.” Baz shouts that he never thought this would happen in a million years. Same, Baz. Never thought I’d be reviewing Massive Wagons as part of my life’s work. Yet here we are, and it feels bloody brilliant.
“Back to the Stack” kicks the doors in with those unmistakable Status Quo esque chugging riffs. Boom. Done. Sold. Then we’re straight into “Pressure”, released today as a single from this very performance. High octane, high energy, high everything. It’s the musical equivalent of telling someone to go do one after they’ve fucked up. Cathartic, loud, and absolutely necessary.
“Tokyo” and the audience splitting chaos of “A.S.S.H.O.L.E.” remind you exactly why Baz is one of the best frontmen in modern rock. He doesn’t just command a crowd, he has the ability to herd them. Packs of sweaty rockers moving as one organism while the SG/Les Paul combo fires riff after riff like a Gatling gun of joy.
“Missing on TV” keeps the momentum roaring, and “Please Stay Calm” pretends to slow things down but absolutely doesn’t. The crowd practically doubles in volume, screaming back every word like their lives depend on it. When Baz sings ‘if I Don’t slow down, I’ll do some harm…’ yeah mate, I get it.
Halfway through, “Fun While It Lasted” continues the party. Massive Wagons have always written songs soaked in authenticity, humour, hardship, mental struggle, real life. They don’t preach; they just tell the truth loudly. “House of Noise” is a rallying cry for every misfit who’s ever felt out of place. It’s a reminder that life isn’t the glossy, filtered nonsense we’re sold, and thank God for that.
By track ten, “Bangin’ in Your Stereo”, dedicated to Daisey, the entire room is airborne. Not a single foot on the floor. You cannot stay still. It’s physically impossible. Even just listening to the album I can’t sit still.
“In It Together” lands next, and honestly, it sums up the entire Massive Wagons experience. I’ve been to hundreds of gigs, but few bands create such a genuine sense of family. It’s not just a show, it’s a gathering of joyful, sweaty, slightly unhinged humans who all want the same thing: to feel alive for 90 minutes.
And then… “Nails”. The closer. The monster. The finale. Imagine Motörhead and Airbourne having a child raised on energy drinks and bad decisions. That’s the vibe. It’s loud, it’s heavy, it’s profane, and it’s perfect. The message?
What you do, never ever be afraid to be youFuck all the painFuck all the hate, fuck all the people who ain’t youThis is where you are, keep the faith and embrace the anger inside you
I couldn’t end this review any better than the band ends their show: Massive Wagons are a triumph of modern rock. See you on tour in April.
026: LIVE DATES
27.03.2026 – Album Launch -Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre (SOLD OUT)
28.03.2026 – Album Launch -Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre (SOLD OUT)
EVERYWHERE WE GO UK TOUR – 2026
17.04.2026 – Norwich, Epic Studios
18.04.2026 – Leicester, O2 Academy
19.04.2026 – Holmforth, The Picturedrome
23.04.2026 – Aberdeen, The Tunnels
24.04.2026 – Middlesbrough, Empire
25.04.2026 – Hull, The Welly
30.04.2026 – Margate, Dreamland
01.05.2026 – Exeter, Phoenix
02.05.2026 – Gloucester, Guildhall
Tickets: https://www.massivewagons.com/live
Website: https://www.massivewagons.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MassiveWagons/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massivewagons/
