Fireheart/Kit Trigg -
The Deaf Institute, Manchester, Thursday 26th February, 2026
Kit Trigg has been around for a while but this is my first time seeing him. Adam is on the bass and Max on the drums. They have a passion and power surrounding their performance.
I believe Adam hasn't been with the band long but you really couldn't tell thanks to his connection with Kit. It was like they were life long friends. Kits voice is truly amazing as is his guitar playing.
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Each song was outstanding and they really played with such passion. They really engaged with the audience. After that performance they have made a new fan in me. An excellent set and a great way to warm up before the main event.
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A lot had been said about Fireheart. The build up from day one has been nothing short of spectacular. It has all led to this moment. This is their first tour and second Gig. They started the night before at Trillions in Newcastle. Now it was Manchester's turn.
But did Fireheart deliver?
Neil Hackett seems to hide under the brim of his hat but really delivers a punch when he plays his guitar. With Bret Barnes flinging his golden locks around next to him, I felt he might have needed safety glasses because of the whip lash!
Russ Grimmett has an aura around him when he is on stage. Meeting him before the Gig he comes across as shy, softly spoken and not really the most confident. On stage though he is a totally different monster. He has swagger, style and incredible vocals.
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He leans into the crowd, drawing them in to his world. Kev Baker on the right is doing what Kev does best, playing rhythm Guitar and pulling the most wonderful and weird facial expressions. But that's one of the many reasons why the crowd love him.
Right at the back is the Drummer, Chris Hopton. He smiles, interacts with his band mates and slams out some serious noise. But we don't have a set of individuals, we have a cohesive band: a tight unit that clearly love playing together and the message of unity that is so important to the Fireheart fans.
From the first song, 'Wild Hearts, Wild Nights', there was a buzz around the venue and a feeling that this is different than the usual Rock band. A new song entitled 'Not Going Back' was thrown in tonight. It was received very well by the Fireheart faithful fans.
Then we got the touching moment from Russ, talking about his Dad, Grim Reaper frontman, Steve Grimmett who sadly passed in 2022. Russ started the song 'Memories' turned out by some sort of fate that his Dads vocals were still in the backing track mix.
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The emotion was felt and the song was fully respected by all. When it ended Fireheart flew into an Elton John cover, 'I'm Still Standing' which was very apt. Fun Elton glasses for Russ and Kev gave it that extra nudge for the party to really start!
'(Good is) Good Enough' really raised the bar with Russ, Bret and Kev standing in the bar like a male copy of Coyote Ugly! Russ got the crowd singing the chorus and passed it over to the beautiful solo from Neil. This was absolutely awesome.
Another new song, called 'Together' followed by a song to introduce the band that turned into a love fest for Bret Barnes called the 'Bret Barnes Song'. Two more new songs were thrown in but it didn't effect the crowds willingness to party which were 'An Hour To Forget' and 'Write Me A Letter'.
Then that moment came, the last song. The only song they could possibly close the show with. The song that was Fireheart's first and defines what the band is all about: 'Staring at the Sun!'
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From the first note to the last, the crowd were in full voice. Russ had a crack in his vocals which not from singing too much but from raw emotion. Fireheart have made it! They are here and here to stay.
An incredible show with an enthusiastic crowd. I really wanted to find something to criticise about the band. But it was flawless. An excellent set and a real top notch performance.
By Dale Holford