LIVE FROM THE PIT: Resolve, Windwaker, Tropic Gold and Ashen

When a tour lineup has four bands on it, you are always wondering if you are going to love each band or be waiting around impatiently for the headline act. RESOLVE made sure everyone left thinking the first option. The French metalcore band were joined by ASHEN, also from France, UK-based TROPIC GOLD and Australia's WINDWAKER. 

This being one of the first tours to happen in 2026 set the standards high for the rest of the year. Kicking off the stacked night was ASHEN. They made their way onto stage and in the first five seconds had confirmed they are probably the most stylish band we have ever seen live. Although they were on just ten minutes after doors, once people had heard them, the room started to fill up. The challenge of being on so early after doors did not stop them, or the crowd, as pits and walls of death were still happening. Newest ASHEN member, NATHAN HAKOUNE, was an obvious standout moment with his low screams. Vocalist CLEM RICHARDS is someone we need to be speaking about more with the range of his voice and the energy he brought for every song.

Next to hit this stacked lineup was TROPIC GOLD. Their atmospheric introduction set the tone for the rest of their set that was packed with songs from their 2025 EP, Sick To Death Of Everything. Vocalist JACOB PARRIS effortlessly switched between clean vocals and screams while drummer AMY opened Pokémon cards at the back of the stage, a new staple part of the TROPIC GOLD set. They played an unreleased track, Witch House, and from the range of JACOB’s vocals alone here, it will definitely be a fan favourite once released. 

Last band to get everyone warmed up for RESOLVE was WINDWAKER. Coming from Australia for their first shows over here, they made sure they brought the energy all the way over to the UK. They performed all their hits, including opening with SIRENS, which is the perfect opening track with its high energy. Their overall stage setup, presence and aesthetic is something so different and fun, it felt like a breath of fresh air. If you are a fan of HEADWRECK or ELECTRIC CALLBOY, you need to check out WINDWAKER. After this, the crowd was fully warmed up for RESOLVE. 

This was a special set for RESOLVE. They performed tracks they have not played in a while, along with others that may never be played again. When the tour announced they gave fans the opportunity to message them with tracks they would like to be played, which made the connection between the band and the fans on this tour even stronger. They undeniably also have this connection with fans in person. Vocalist ANTHONY DILIBERTO’s stage presence was so slick and his live vocal range was one of the most impressive, he made it seem easy to use. It is certain all members wanted to put everything into this performance with it being the last time some of the tracks were going to be played. With hints of similarities to MAKE THEM SUFFER shining through on tracks such as Molotov and DON BROCO on Human, there was something for everyone. 

They used up every bit of the stage. The Cathouse was not a big enough venue for this performance; The band would thrive on stages like the Barrowlands or O2 Academy so they could fully unleash themselves. There were fans there who had travelled all the way from America for this tour, who must have been happy with their decisions after the night.

Hopefully RESOLVE will be back at some of the major UK festivals soon, they have the stage presence, the sound and the fan interaction completely and would make a perfect act for the Download Festival main stage.

Words: Isabella Jacklin

Photos: Isaac Laing