FM
- Rock Metal Machine
- Sep 15
- 4 min read
Artists: FM, Brave Rival
Venue: Bristol, Fleece & Firkin
Date: 11th September 2025
"What can I say about FM, except that as usual they were sheer class, the perfect example of lovely guys playing amazing songs because they love each other and they love doing it. A real example of brotherhood in action."
It’s been a few years since I saw FM in Bristol, and they’ve shifted sideways from playing on a boat (Thekla) to one of the most loved smallish venues in the UK, which is never a bad thing. The Fleece & Firkin may have a few poles that get in your way but also hold up the roof, but it’s usually a great place to watch a band, so I’m looking forward to this one.
Unusually I haven’t checked out support act Brave Rival prior to tonight, so it’s a case of going in cold for their forty minute set (FM have given them an extra ten minutes as they’re nice lads). Whilst they recently were awarded the title Of Blues Band Of The Year, I certainly wouldn’t run out to class them as such, as Brave Rival are heavy as hell, the crashing guitar of Ed Clarke boosted by the powerful vocals of Lindsey Bonnick, her orangey hair whipping around as she roars out with all her might. Maybe the definition of “Blues” has shifted a little in the last five years or so, and they are admittedly playing their heavier tracks, but I stand happily basking in forty minutes of powerful Hard Rock, from opener ‘Bad Choices’ and the “Hey! Hey! Hey!” chant of ‘Control’ to the closer ‘Fairytale’. They use their extra time to do a slower song about depression called ‘Heavy’ that not only ends up with some of the most powerful, emotional excellence from Bonnick, but also segues into a full length instrumental during which Clarkemakes many jaws hit the floor. Ten minutes well spent. Brave Rival do a superb job of their first ever Bristol gig (back in December), and certainly made a fan of me and, I suspect, many others.
It’s an early one tonight as “The Mighty” FM hit the stage at half past eight, despite the venue saying nine, which will no doubt result in a few complaints. Let’s be honest here, I’m not going to say anything bad in this review unless in the next ninety minutes things really go awry, and in forty years of seeing FM live that’s yet to happen. The thing I’m looking forward to is the “surprises” promised in the set, as FM do like to bring in older songs that haven’t been played much, though openers ‘Synchronized’ and ‘I Belong To The Night’ don’t raise any eyebrows, except from the handful of people who haven’t seen the band live before. You look at FM and you simply don’t expect the level of excellence that comes out. I mean, they dress like they’re on a works outing (which they sorta are), with Jem Davis as the “whacky” one from accounts. There’s no showboating, just big smiles and technical efficiency that borders of perfection.
It’s great to hear ‘Turn This Car Around’, and to hear ‘Someday You’ll Come Running’ for the first time in ages. New album ‘Brotherhood’ is represented by lead single ‘Living On The Run’, the brilliant ‘Don’t Call It Love’ and the powerful ballad ‘Just Walk Away’. The band have precious few below average songs in their vault, and the current set is stuffed with the better ones. The early days are well served, and we get ‘Let Love Be The Leader’, ‘That Girl’, ‘Dangerous’, ‘Heart Of The Matter’, ‘Bad Luck’, ‘Burning My Heart Down’ and ‘Tough It Out’. It’s a solid move from the band, with exactly half the songs coming from the first half of their career, though interestingly all from the first two albums. Best of the rest for me is ‘Killed By Love’, a great companion piece to ‘Don’t Call It Love’ as a song that totally embodies, for me, what FM are all about when they just get their heads down and deliver perfect Melodic Rock. The sound is fantastic, with Steve Overland’s superb vocals not being crowded out by the rest of the band but everyone else just as clear in the mix. We all know it can make a big difference, so kudos to whoever was controlling it for being brilliant at their job.
There’s really no negatives about this gig, as both bands put on a first class show. If you’ve not seen either, take a look at your local listings and get in there if they’re nearby. What can I say about FM, except that as usual they were sheer class, the perfect example of lovely guys playing amazing songs because they love each other and they love doing it. A real example of brotherhood in action.
Gallery: All photos © Alan Holloway (used with kind permission)
Review: Alan Holloway
Photos: Alan Holloway
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What an incredible review — you can really feel the passion and energy coming from both FM and Brave Rival! It’s refreshing to see musicians who play not just for fame but because they genuinely love the music and each other. That kind of connection and brotherhood truly shines through in their performances. Reading this reminds me how teamwork and dedication can create something extraordinary — just like how students working together or seeking assignment help can achieve amazing results when they share a common goal and passion for learning.