Midnite City and Nasty Ratz, Black Heart, London 2026

When Rob Wylde broke his ribs he had to postpone the Midnite City tour last year to January 2026. As the packed out Black Heart demonstrated it did not deter attendance,  even for those who had come as far afield as America and Japan. January is a dry spell for gigs and it was great to see the flag flown for melodic rock in such a great way brightening up the new year!

Opening up were Nasty Ratz from the Czech Republic with unmistakably dirty Motley Crue riffs. Singer Jake Widow with his long waistlength black and red hair added a bit of visual theatre with green and red lasers shot from the calm of his black leather cut off gloves.

Guitarist Matt Viperi (from near Sedlec Bone Church if you know you know) with hair metal headband and smoky eyes brought the fingertapping and heaps of 80s aesthetic.

They brought attitude and kept everyone entertained. More metal than Midnight City, they nevertheless incorporated harmonies and singalongs. There was a bit of headbangin, but they are firmly Classic Rock and so chimed well with the Midnight City crowd.

Black Heart may be a venue on the small side but Midnite City always think big. Accordingly they bring a show that could easily be delivered in a stadium and probably would have been in the 80s.

Further there was an international packed out crowd and a sold out show always lifts the mood from the off. Indeed the venue is so packed that it’s hotter than hell onstage and Wylde affords himself of the red rock n roll Mike Monroe style fan carried by Ziggie, glam stalwart, on the front row.

Rob Wylde and crew are one of the only 80s Glam melodic/aor style rock bands left in the UK and are not for swerving, no matter how popular Black Death metal, gore and death growls become. It’s family friendly, but no less full of blood and sweat, just with smiles instead of tears. The full venue shows that there are plenty of melodic rock fans left and they know where to come to get their fix. Further the band are appreciative: they take the time to personally thank fans who have come thousands of miles for the gig.

The band will celebrate its tenth anniversary next year during which time they have produced 5 albums and toured as far a field as Japan where they also have a firm fanbase. Tonight the set list has a mammoth eight tracks from the new album showing the band jusifiably believe in their new material which sits easily alongside their more familiar material

However with over nine years under their belt they wouldn’t get away with not playing older tracks that have become classics and for ‘They Only Come Out At Night’ the crowd start singing its spinetingling refrain before the band even get started.

No gimmicks, no bullshit, just polished melodic rock at its finest, delivered by people who believe in their music, themselves and their fans. Could definitely be many worse places to spend a rainy night in January. A little ray of sunshine in a London where gigs are in short supply this time of year. Everything happens for a reason!

Dawn Osborne