New Blood and New Perspectives: The Best of Out of Rage 2025

2025 has been a massive year for Out of Rage; we've had larger shows, broader coverage, and most importantly, a whole host of new contributors joining us, many of whom had their first experience shooting gigs or writing album reviews. As the end of the year draws close, we asked our new writers and photographers: what's been their favourite part about joining Out of Rage?

Joining Out of Rage has given me so much experience as a writer and photographer. It's opened my eyes to a whole new world without throwing me in at the deep end. I've been able to make friends and connections, learnt how to use equipment and various computer programs while being given opportunities I didn't think was possible for someone as fresh to the scene as me. It's truly changed my life!

Words: Amy Smyth

Being able to celebrate the music scene with such an inclusive bunch of people.

Words: Laura Davies

I’ve loved joining such a supportive community that encourages you to showcase your talents. It’s been incredible being able to step foot into the industry and interact with incredible bands.

Words: Alix England

Since joining Rage in March this year, I can’t believe how much has happened for me personally. I can see I’ve become a better writer, from my first live review of Shreddler Fest, a full day fest, with multiple bands, to my most recent review of Deafheaven, I can’t believe that people have the trust and belief in me.

Getting to hear the new AFI, Dayseeker and Taylor Acorn albums before release are key memories of my first year with Rage - with all three fast becoming some of my favourites written this year. Being lucky enough to sit down and interview artists like Delilah Bon, Lastelle, Seven Blood and Slow Crush has been an incredible privilege and I feel proud that Rage has given me these chances.

Finally, interviewing and being asked to join the management team, helping out Jasmine on the Albums team has been one of the key highlights of my year. I can’t wait for what 2026 will bring for Rage and for myself as part of such an inclusive and talented group of people.

Words: Lou Viner-Flood

I think my favourite part of joining out of rage is meeting new photographers and learning so much from them, they have helped more than I could ever have wished for. It's been amazing too see how each person approaches the shoot and the types of styles there is out there

Words: Jack Norris

The people part of out of rage! Everyone is so friendly not just with the publishing side of things but also in general. Your excitement is everyone else's excitement, everyone is happy to help if you have questions. I hadn't written any articles for gigs before and was really confused when I started what im supposed to say but I got a lot of help with it. I also got to see bands I hadn't heard to before who are really cool and part of my regular listening now too.

Words: Con Macadam

The opportunity to build my portfolio and to meet other like-minded creatives to know that what I’m doing isn’t far fetched as a career.

Words: James Smith

The opportunities I was given since I joined the pub and the community, that is very friendly and welcoming!

Words: Kat Stepanikova

I now have a writing portfolio full of interesting stuff,that sounds like me, not just copy for some corporate website!

Words: Alana Madden

Having access to bigger shows than i could've ever dreamed of. Being able to improve my photography through seeing what styles and techniques others are using. Being part of a community

Words: Lauren Wenham

Meeting like minded individuals as well as getting to review the new Solence album for example, as they're a band I've followed for years, so I am really glad I got to help them out!!

Words: Itay Gilad

My favourite part has been being involved in a community, I find it very rewarding and encouraging when we’re all working together to write and take photos. I enjoy the responsibility to produce and contribute to the cause and the community and seeing other people’s work too. I joined OOR mainly to maybe get some photography experience, at the moment I know I don’t have the right equipment necessarily to do that but by joining I discovered that I can help in other ways.

I think I’ve mentioned before but prior to this I only really wrote essays for uni, so having the opportunity to write for OOR has been really important to me, and I know I still have a way to go and writing doesn’t always come naturally to me, I really enjoy the process and I’m determined to improve each time. It’s also really nice to see the artists response to the work too, I think I’ve received some kind of acknowledgment from about 90% of the reviews I’ve done which is really cool and encouraging in itself. So through Rage this year I’ve done album reviews for the first time ever, and also my first ever live review which have all been invaluable experiences for me and I’m really grateful for them! Thank you guys! <3

Words: Danielle Henderson

Being trusted with opportunities I’ve really been grateful for. I recently took photos of Loathe and I was so excited to get the chance to do this. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me so far, it really does mean a lot!

Words: Izzy Sheldon

All the really cool opportunities for album and gig reviews I've had! I really love the approach the team has for picking people, since it's not first come first serve it gives every single person a chance to be considered for even the biggest/coolest shows the publication has covered. I mainly focused on album reviews this year, and through that discovered some really cool bands and made some cool connections with bands, PRs, photographers, other reviewers, etc. I also got to review my first 'big' show (in my eyes at least), Wheatus; if you'd told me a year ago that I'd be getting put on a guest list for this band in exchange for my review/opinion of their show, I'd never believe you :D

Words: Zuzanna Pazola

Editor: Naomi Colliar Duff

Photos: Lizzie Jones and Ben Blissett