Firegarden – The Church House, Sheffield, Saturday 2nd May, 2026
Set 1: LA/80's/Choose/This House/Queen Eons/Ding/Running Out/Firebird.
Set 2: Big A/Van Hailin/Circle/Sibelieve/Borderline/How Can I Live/Never/Crabs/Northwinds/In This Darkness.
Encore: Burn (Deep Purple Cover)
Firegarden are a three piece band made up of Jake Mann (Guitar/Vocals), Ashley Tuck (Drums) & Chris Heald (Bass/Vocals). Now this was a big set, lots of songs but I didn't expect what I got. For a three piece the noise they brought was Astonishing. I had to look to see if there were extra musicians on stage with them. Frequently Jake and Chris turned and played off each other.
Chris has this really impressive black six string, custom bass. It looks amazing. Jake's singing is good, not Bruce Dickinson but he can hold a note. But what sets him apart is his guitar playing. I have never seen anyone play like him.
He is technically perfect, for the song 'Queens Eons' what he did with the Guitar Iron Maidens needs three guitarists to do the same. I was left with my jaw on the floor. The solo had so many different parts and went on for what seemed like an age. I literally did not want it to end.
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When it did my memory immediately went back to the interview where Chris answered 'Tracey's question' by saying Jake has six fingers! After that song I lent over and counted just to make sure!
Surprisingly he has the correct amount of fingers on each hand. He went on to play another three songs and to be honest if it was me I would need a week to recover after that song. It was after Queen's EONs where I realised I was watching something special.
The second set was just as amazing. We got a bass solo from Chris as well as more incredible guitar from Jake. He also plays the keys but sadly not tonight. The sound from the band was perfect, they had no keys or a rhythm guitarist but they didn't miss them either.
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There were no holes in the sound for me to criticise. But part of me wanted the Keys because I love Keys in a band and I am curious of how Jake would do it, sing play guitar and the Keys! He does it in their cover band, 'Sheep Purple'. I am now going to have to check them out just to see how the dynamics work.
Then came the drum solo. Throughout the performance Ashley's drumming was, like the other members of the band absolutely flawless. So now we get to listen what he could do. *Ting *Ting *Ting came the symbol. I know he is building up to an explosion of drums....
*Ting *Ting *Ting...anytime now! *Ting *Ting *Ting *Ting *Ting *Ting erm, ok.. Out walks Ashley holding a symbol and drum stick.. *Ting *Ting *Ting he stood at the microphone, Jake and Chris relaxing at the side.. *Ting *Ting *Ting.
The way Ashley was looking at the crowd, totally deadpan serious. *Ting *Ting *Ting. It felt uncomfortable but absolutely hilarious at the same time. We felt guilty for laughing because Ashley is so serious. I have never seen a solo like this. It was brilliant. He went back to his kit and the band played out the last songs.
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The performance came to an end. 'More More' cried the still full pub. We were treated to a Deep Purple cover and the show came to an end. A show with lots of humour, pirate hats and incredible music.
Firegarden have been around for a long time and I can't believe this was my first time seeing them. It definitely will not be my last. I am a fan and I even bought a T-shirt!
By Dale Holford