LIVE FROM THE PIT: Terminal Sleep, Spaced, Still In Love and Headstone

London’s New Cross Inn has become significant venue in hosting some of the UK’s most wild underground shows – and tonight was no exception. With a stacked line up featuring Headstone, Still in Love, Spaced and the amazing Terminal Sleep, the night delivered pit fuelled chaos and emotion. Each band brought something unique to this gig – it really demonstrated hardcore in all its forms; sweaty, furious and fun. 

Having only just released their debut EP ‘Demo 2025’  in April, Headstone proved to be a fitting and impactful choice to open the night. They brought a good crowd of locals from the London hardcore scene and delivered a set brimming with energy and confidence. 

From the first sound of guitars blasting out, the room ignited. The pit opened up and most of the audience were windmilling and spin kicking - pure unfiltered chaos that perfectly matched the drive coming from the band on stage – so much so that one of the members of the band jumped right into the pit, windmilling and spink kicking with the audience. Their set was a lot of fun despite being so short as they mentioned that they only had 12 mins worth of songs to play. The band played some songs off their EP such as ‘Any Last Words’ and ‘All Bark, No Bite’  which went down very well with the crowd. 

Still in Love are a rising force in the London hardcore scene. They just released their latest single ‘Inherit’ a few weeks ago and it hit hard live – energy and excitement from both the band and the crowd. One of the most powerful moments during their set was when they dedicated their song  ‘Sober’ to friends that had passed away. It was a beautiful tribute; you could hear the emotion in the singers voice each word carried so much meaning. Still in love continue to prove that they’re not just heavy, they are a band with lots of meaning behind their songs, a band with depth and emotion. 

Spaced, a five piece from Buffalo New York absolutely tore through their set with relentless energy, proving that they are one of the most exciting new names in hardcore. Their unique sound, fusing hardcore punk and psychedelic experimental sounds had the crowd moving from stepping onto that stage. The frontperson Lexi’s presence and sharp delivery cut through the distorted guitar tones with clarity and rage. The band played each note to perfection especially when they played ‘Bad Energy’ and ‘Tear It Apart’.  Spaced are one of those bands that deliver an attention-grabbing set and the audience loved it. 

Terminal Sleep are one of the most exciting new bands emerging from Australia’s hardcore scene and last night at the New Cross Inn they proved to us exactly why.  From the first song to the last they commanded the room with intensity and fury – they’re a force to be reckoned with. 

From the first note of ‘Tired and True’ chaos reigned. The guitars screeched like steel beams while the bass pulsed through  the floor like a heartbeat. Every drum hit was sharp and punchy. The pit was a warzone – windmilling, spin-kicking and total carnage and the band fed off this madness perfectly, particularly during ‘Spineless’. Front woman Bec Thorwesten was an unstoppable force, her screams piercing through the venue walls creating this atmosphere so charged it felt like the entire room was about to explode. 

Playing their new song ‘ They Circle Below’ caused chaos, Bec’s powerful screams hit hard as the venue got hotter and the crowd sweatier from the spin kicking and moshing in the pit. Hearing the new song a day before release went down a treat – it is so good!

During ‘A Liars End’ the low distorted guitars, rumbling heavy bass and tight explosive drums dragged the crowd deeper into Terminal Sleep’s dark and beautiful chaos. Terminal Sleep’s set flew by as they finished on ‘Death Therapy’ and really left the crowd wanting more. 

Words: Sita Gee

Photos: Katerina Stepanikova