Summer Sessions returns to the iconic Sound Shell on The Hoe for the second of four back-to-back summer nights, transforming Plymouth’s waterfront into a high-voltage festival stage. Expect a seamless ascent from underground agitators to drum-and-bass legends as four acts deliver a relentless sequence of riffs, hooks and bass drops under the setting sun.
Hailing from Örebro, Sweden, Normandie fuse post-hardcore grit with soaring alt-rock melodies. Founded in 2013 by vocalist Philip Strand and guitarist Håkan Almbladh, they self-released debut album ‘Inguz’ in February 2016 before its inVogue Records rerelease. Third LP ‘Dark & Beautiful Secrets’ arrived in 2021, and fourth album ‘Dopamine’ landed on 9 February 2024. With extensive European tours — including support slots for All Faces Down and Yellowcard’s farewell run — their live sets balance anthemic hooks with raw intensity.
Sometimes, the best way to experience a band is through sheer atmosphere—and as biblical rain drenched Plymouth, Sweden’s own Normandie provided the perfect storm of melodic intensity and unrelenting power to kick off Summer Sessions. Though heavy traffic meant I only caught their set in passing, what I heard left an impression: a polished yet ferocious blend of alternative rock and heavy rock that cut through the downpour like a beacon.
Originally a six-piece, they have streamlined into a four-piece without sacrificing an ounce of force. With ‘Overdrive’, ‘Serotonin’, ‘Babylon’, and ‘White Flag’, they proved their ability to merge melody with sheer heaviness, balancing soaring hooks with the raw energy of screamo-infused growls. Their ability to navigate the line between mainstream rock and the heavier end of metal makes them a must-watch act for anyone craving that crossover.
After their set, I caught up with frontman Phillip to dive into the concept behind their latest album, Dopamine. We also laughed about the unrelenting rain—turns out, they may have accidentally brought a slice of Swedish weather with them. And speaking of slices, our discussion took a delightful detour into the world of cheddar cheese. With Sweden offering just one variety, I made it my mission to introduce them to the magic of mature cheddar before they rolled off on their tour bus.
A band with presence, precision, and plenty of personality—they may have opened the night, but their sound lingered long after.
Emerging from London in 2018, Wargasm are Sam Matlock and Milkie Way, an electronic-rock duo fusing electro-punk, digital hardcore and nu-metal into a visceral live experience. Their 2022 mixtape Explicit: The Mixxxtape hit No. 19 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart, while 2023’s debut LP ‘Venom’ cracked the UK Albums Chart at No. 88. Lauded by Alternative Press as a defining voice in the 2020s nu-metal revival, they scooped Best New Noise at the 2022 Kerrang! Awards.
Wargasm welcomed a storm—both literal and metaphorical—as they unleashed their feral energy onto a rain-soaked Plymouth crowd. Having witnessed their explosive performances at Bearded Theory and Burn it Down festival before, there was no doubt that Milkie Way and Sam Matlock would once again deliver their trademark high-octane set.
Supporting Pendulum is no small task, but from the first track, they proved their worth. The duo commanded the stage with an intoxicating mix of aggression and swagger, unfazed by the relentless downpour that soaked both band and audience alike. If anything, the miserable weather only reinforced the sheer resilience and devotion of the fans, who refused to let the rain dampen their spirits.
Their setlist was a heady rush of intensity, with ‘Circle Pit’ whipping the crowd into a frenzy and ‘Venom’ pulsating with raw, unfiltered power. ‘Pyro Pyro’ was a particular standout, a controlled explosion of sonic carnage, while their latest single, ‘Vigilantes’, made its mark with an unrelenting drive that left the audience craving more.
After their set, I caught up with Milkie and Sam to discuss everything from their music to the chaos of festival season—turns out they missed Venga Boys at Download Festival the night before, much to their dismay. We also chatted about their survival tactics for staying sane on the road, offering a glimpse into the relentless whirlwind of touring life, Look out for the full interview on musomuso.com soon.
For those who missed this electrifying performance, you missed Wargasm in their element: unfiltered, unrestrained, and utterly unstoppable.
Hot Milk formed in Manchester in 2018, fronted by vocalist-guitarist Hannah “Han” Mee and Jim Shaw with Tom Paton (bass) and Harry Deller (drums). Their genre-blurring blend of pop-punk riffs, emo urgency and power-pop choruses propelled early singles like “Awful Ever After” onto BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang! Radio playlists. Since signing to Music For Nations in 2021, they’ve released three EPs and dropped their debut album ‘A Call to the Void’ on 25 August 2023, cementing their status at the forefront of Manchester’s new rock wave.
Some bands thrive in chaos. These guys own it. On a night when tropical storms threatened to soak spirits, the Manchester-based outfit took to the stage at The Hoe with an unreal energy that turned drizzle into adrenaline. Supporting Pendulum was no small feat, but from the moment Han Mee and the band tore into their set, it was clear they weren’t just warming up the crowd—they were commanding it.
Han, ever the dynamo, darted across the stage, turning the damp Plymouth night into her own playground, proving exactly why they are no longer just an up-and-coming act—they’re a mainstage force. ‘Insubordinate Ingerland’ set the tone, delivering attitude and urgency in equal measure, while ‘Horror Show’ tore through the speakers with its unhinged intensity. ‘Zoned Out’ kept the crowd locked in, and by the time the anthemic ‘Party on My Deathbed’ rang out across The Hoe, excitement for the main act was at its peak.
With a U.S. tour under their belt and standout performances at Slam Dunk North and South, HOT MILK’s ascent is undeniable. They’re not just riding momentum—they’re shaping it. One thing’s for sure: this is a band that thrives on live energy, and this summer, they’ll be bringing it to stages everywhere, storm clouds be damned.
Closing the night Pendulum, the Australian drum-and-bass pioneers turned electronic-rock juggernauts. Formed in Perth in 2002 by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen and Paul “El Hornet” Harding, they broke through with debut ‘Hold Your Colour’ (2005) and expanded their sound on ‘In Silico’ (2008) and the UK-chart-topping ‘Immersion’ (2010). After a 2012–2016 hiatus, they reformed for blockbuster festival runs and released the remix album ‘The Reworks’ in 2018. Expect powerhouse beats, live instrumentation and Rob Swire’s commanding vocals as they seize The Hoe for their headline set.
Few bands can turn relentless rain into an atmospheric advantage, but Pendulum did just that as they closed out Summer Sessions on The Hoe with a masterclass in drum and bass brilliance. From the moment they launched into ‘Napalm’, it was clear Plymouth was in for something immense—no easing in, no slow burn, just high-octane energy from the first beat.
Despite the torrential downpour, the crowd held strong, soaking in every beat, every bass drop, every moment. ‘Save the Cat’ tore through the arena with electrifying force, ‘Propane Nightmares’ sent shockwaves through the drenched fans, and the encore? ‘Tarantula’—a final, feral eruption that had The Hoe bouncing as if the rain never existed.
With 23 years behind them (okay, we’ll forgive the four-year hiatus), Pendulum proved exactly why they remain a festival powerhouse. Their ability to blend drum and bass with live musicianship continues to set them apart, securing their place as a bucket-list act for anyone craving pure, unfiltered energy.
And as the final notes echoed across the West Country, fans trudged home—windblown, rain-soaked, and utterly exhilarated. Because when Pendulum delivers, nothing else matters.
Words - Steve Muscutt
Pictures - Anna Leader
