Spin Class at Rough Trade Bristol – A Breakthrough Performance from a Band Bound for the Big Time
Let’s not beat around the bush—Spin Class just delivered what may well be the most electrifying gig of 2025 so far.
Taking the stage at Rough Trade to launch their sophomore EP Dinner at Derek’s, the Bristol-based quartet demonstrated a level of artistry, energy, and charisma that places them on a trajectory toward major festival stages and headline status. Fronted by the magnetic Louis Slater, with Sonny Gazzard on guitar, Sam Savidge on bass, and Harry Parkes behind the kit, Spin Class proved they’re not a band finding their feet—they’re sprinting full pelt into the future.
From the moment they launched into their ADHD‑charged single “Bagel Bagel Bagel,” any preconceptions about the band were shattered. What some expected to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to Spinal Tap or Steel Panther quickly revealed itself to be something far more visceral and potent. Think the swagger of Led Zeppelin, the depth of Soundgarden, and the off-kilter creativity of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—then add a healthy dose of modern irreverence and a knack for earworm hooks.
Spin Class are, quite simply, everything a heavy rock band should be in 2025.
A Sound All Their Own
What sets Spin Class apart is their sonic identity. The riffs are distinctive and memorable—Gazzard’s guitar work veers from crunching sludge to technical intricacy with ease—while Slater’s vocal delivery is arresting, with a range that evokes shades of Chris Cornell at his most impassioned. Savidge and Parkes lock in to provide a muscular, dynamic rhythm section, propelling each track with power and precision.
This is not a group of musicians merely playing the songs—they inhabit them, breathe them, and tear them apart on stage.
An Uncontainable Live Energy
The Rough Trade crowd didn’t stand a chance. From the first chord, the room erupted—and it barely let up until the final note of the encore. At one point, the band’s sheer sonic force temporarily tripped the venue’s sound system. Instead of derailing the show, it offered a welcome pause for breath before the next onslaught.
Tracks like “Phat Spaniard” and the brilliantly titled “Mr Toys Flying Wok Noodle Bar” showcased the band’s ability to shift gears without losing cohesion. Moments of proggy experimentation gave way to sludgy breakdowns, while infectious melodies floated atop a heavy foundation. It was wild, unpredictable, and completely absorbing.
Stage Presence and Band Chemistry
Louis Slater is a frontman in the grand tradition—commanding yet playful, capable of turning a sweaty venue into a place of communal release. His performance style combines theatricality and authenticity, drawing the crowd into every scream, sneer, and stage move. But crucially, the chemistry between all four members is palpable. Spin Class aren’t a solo act with backing players; they’re a band operating with a shared sense of purpose and direction.
Even their branding is razor-sharp. From the surrealist artwork to their tongue-in-cheek social media reels, Spin Class are building a recognisable identity—one that bridges rock tradition with Gen Z absurdism.
A Moment to Remember
It’s worth noting that Dinner at Derek’s dropped just seven months after their debut EP Wednesday, signalling not only a band with a relentless creative drive but one with an exceptional hit rate. No filler here—just a stream of sharp, well-crafted songs already gaining attention from BBC Introducing, Apple Music, Fame Magazine, RTE, KUTX, Laut FM and Unrecorded.
By the time the band launched into their encore—a thunderous, heartfelt cover of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” in tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne—the crowd had long since surrendered to the sheer thrill of it all. In that moment, cameras were lowered, notebooks forgotten. Everyone was a fan.
The Verdict
Spin Class have it. That elusive, undeniable “it” that can’t be taught or manufactured. On July 26th, Rough Trade bore witness to a defining moment in a young band’s rise—a gig that those lucky enough to attend will one day talk about in the same breath as legendary breakout shows.
The future is calling—and Spin Class are already halfway there.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
