PROG FOR PEART
VENUE THE NORTHCOURT, ABINGDON
DATE 12/07/202413/07/2024
Heroes emerge in various guises and Neil Peart of Rush was Mark Cunningham’s hero. After Peart died of brain cancer, Cunningham established Prog For Peart to raise money for the Headcase Cancer Trust. Founded in 2020, this event has become established as a high-quality grassroots festival with an impressive 14-band line-up, of which Cunningham’s Forgotten Gods open on Saturday with a surprise package. He sings Everybody’s Hero about Neil Peart, displaying previously unknown vocal power, and epic Pillars Of Petra features scintillating guitar from bandmate Steve Harris. Forgotten Gods have certainly made some memories.
Vmbra kick off Friday’s proceedings by blending post-rock textures with prog metal in a promising gig from such a young band.
Forgotten Gods make memories.
JIM DONNELLY
Vmbra are full of promise.
Hayley Griffiths joins IO Earth for a soulful performance.